One person was shot dead and two others were injured in Bawku on Monday night. The shooting incident occurred around the Barclays Bank in Bawku at about 8 p.m.
The deceased, identified as Sule Adinya, 41, a Frafra tea seller, was rushed to the Bawku Hospital but died shortly after, while one of the injured, identified as Nichima Adam, 30, a Moshie and loading boy, is responding to treatment. The third victim, Mohammed Abubakari, 30, who was hit by a bullet in the head, has been discharged.
The assailants were alleged to have hidden behind an uncompleted building about 20 metres from the victim from where they fired the shots. The reason for the shooting is yet to be ascertained but it is believed to have links with the protracted Bawku conflict.
The security agencies have so far rounded up 13 people for screening. The Bawku Municipal Police Commander, DSP Godwin Cashman Blewushie, who confirmed the incident, said all the 13 people arrested in connection with the shooting incident were to be screened by the police yesterday morning. The 13 people were picked up in the Daduri and Azanga suburbs of Bawku.
Meanwhile, the Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, Musah Abdulai, has described the latest incident as very worrying.
He said the Municipal Security Committee would reactivate all necessary security measures to bring the level of impunity and disrespect for law and order down.
Security personnel on the ground have intensified their presence and patrols to ensure that the problem does not escalate.
A Mamprusi youth leader, Amandi Haleru, appealed to the security agencies to intensify their duties, since, from what was happening, Mamprusis were beginning to feel that their security was not guaranteed.
“If our opponents can storm our territory and embark on a shooting spree, then we can’t say we are safe,” he said.
At the time of filing this report, the Upper East Regional Security Council was in a meeting with the Bawku Municipal Security Council to discuss the security situation in Bawku.
Wednesday 31 March 2010
Tuesday 30 March 2010
T-Shirts Banned at Damba Festival, March 30, Page 17
The Bawku Municipal Security Committee (MUSEC) has with immediate effect banned the wearing of T-Shirts and other paraphernalia associated with the aborted Damba festival.A statement signed by the Chairman of MUSEC, Mr Musa Abdulai, issued in Bawku said “for the sake of peace, MUSEC has with immediate effect banned the wearing of those items in any part of the municipality pending the outcome of ongoing dialogue between the feuding parties facilitated by Civil Society groups and central government.”According to the statement, the law enforcement agencies would not countenance any acts aimed at derailing the peace process and any violations of the ban, warning that those who chose to violate it would be dealt with firmly.It explained that henceforth, samples of inscriptions and symbols on T-shirts, apparels and paraphernalia for any intended celebration in the municipality should be submitted to MUSEC for vetting.“For the sake of peace, law and order the public should co-operate with the law enforcement agencies in this regard and allow them to deal with the situation,” the statement said.The statement said it had come to the notice of MUSEC that some T-shirts, which it described as controversial, as well as other apparels and paraphernalia were printed on or before March 20, 2010, for the Damba festival celebration with inscriptions relating to the chieftaincy dispute in Bawku.It said, the distribution and wearing of the T-shirts in Bawku and other parts of the country was threatening peace and security.One of the T-Shirts has on its front side, the portrait of the 14th Chief of the Bawku traditional area, Naa Adam Zangbeo who ruled from 1967 to 1981. The reversed side has a list of all the Mamprusi chiefs who have ruled Bawku since 1721 captured under the title “original chiefs of Bawku”.Just last week, Mamprusis and Kusasis in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, clashed at the cola market over the wearing of the said T-shirts.Tension has also been mounting in the Bawku township between the two ethnic groups over the wearing of the T-Shirts.
NDC YOUTH ANGRY WITH RM (PAGE 17, MARCH 30, 2010)
SOME aggrieved supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper East Region have accused the Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo of awarding contracts in the region to his family members and alleged cronies in the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
They are also complaining of victimisation of perceived party members who are against him.
The NDC members, are therefore, calling on the party’s national executives and the founder of the NDC to intervene to prevent the party from disintegration.
The aggrieved party members who described themselves as Coalition for the Welfare of the Masses (COFTWOM), said they had followed with keen interest the recent happenings in the party in the region with special observation of appointments and the awards of contracts in the region and had observed that NDC stalwarts were being unduly denied appointments and contracts.
Speaking at a news conference in Bolgatanga, the spokesman of the group, Mr Paul Danka, said Mr Woyongo had awarded several contracts worth thousands of Ghana cedis to his nephew, Mr Victor Yahaya, who doubles as a Regional Vice Chairman of the party, and other friends on the opposite side of the political divide.
But for the intervention of the Regional Police task force, there would have been a serious confrontation as persons opposed to the pressure group stormed the VAG Hall, which was the venue for the news conference, to disrupt the programme.
Led by one Hudu Yahaya, the Bolgatanga Constituency Secretary of the NDC, the people stormed the hall, while the news conference was underway and boldly screamed “no press conference, no press conference,” disrupting the programme.
The situation led to some exchange of words till the police stepped in to calm tempers.
The spokesperson of the COFTWOM, Mr John Paul Danka said the group was not against the award of contracts to qualified and competent people as being speculated.
He, however, stated that they were opposed to the regional minister circumventing the rules to enrich political opponents to the detriment of party businessmen, who were equal to the task and had always stood behind the party in times of distress.
They are also complaining of victimisation of perceived party members who are against him.
The NDC members, are therefore, calling on the party’s national executives and the founder of the NDC to intervene to prevent the party from disintegration.
The aggrieved party members who described themselves as Coalition for the Welfare of the Masses (COFTWOM), said they had followed with keen interest the recent happenings in the party in the region with special observation of appointments and the awards of contracts in the region and had observed that NDC stalwarts were being unduly denied appointments and contracts.
Speaking at a news conference in Bolgatanga, the spokesman of the group, Mr Paul Danka, said Mr Woyongo had awarded several contracts worth thousands of Ghana cedis to his nephew, Mr Victor Yahaya, who doubles as a Regional Vice Chairman of the party, and other friends on the opposite side of the political divide.
But for the intervention of the Regional Police task force, there would have been a serious confrontation as persons opposed to the pressure group stormed the VAG Hall, which was the venue for the news conference, to disrupt the programme.
Led by one Hudu Yahaya, the Bolgatanga Constituency Secretary of the NDC, the people stormed the hall, while the news conference was underway and boldly screamed “no press conference, no press conference,” disrupting the programme.
The situation led to some exchange of words till the police stepped in to calm tempers.
The spokesperson of the COFTWOM, Mr John Paul Danka said the group was not against the award of contracts to qualified and competent people as being speculated.
He, however, stated that they were opposed to the regional minister circumventing the rules to enrich political opponents to the detriment of party businessmen, who were equal to the task and had always stood behind the party in times of distress.
Thursday 25 March 2010
2010 Admissions to SHS...GLOOMY, BUT...Govt poised to address problems ( MARCH 22, 2010)
...................................Lack of dormitory facilities has been identified as one of the major challenges facing SHSs in the Upper East Region ahead of the 2010/2011 academic year in September this year, reports Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga.In an interview with heads of SHSs in Bolgatanga, the common challenge which ran through was the unavailability of dormitories to accommodate new students.The Headmaster of Bawku SHS, Mr Bismark Simon Kpuli, said the school would have no option but admit new students as day students.According to him, all the 1,784 students in the boarding house were there under difficult conditions and that until an additional dormitory was provided, it would be difficult to admit more students to the boarding house.For her part, the Headmistress of Bolgatanga SHS, Mrs Francisca Yizura, expressed the hope that work on the new 12- unit classroom block would be completed on time to accommodate the new students.She said the major challenge would be accommodation in the boarding house but indicated that the school authorities would meet the PTA and the board to discuss the options available to them.Mrs Yizura, who is a member of the Upper East Regional executive of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Senior High Schools (CHASS), said the problems associated with the introduction of the new reform had been presented to the Director-General of the GES for the necessary action and solution.
Wednesday 24 March 2010
IMPLEMENT SINGLE SPINE SALARY STRUCTURE...GNAT urges government (PAGE 11, MARCH 24, 2010)
THE Upper East Regional branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has called on the Government to keep its promise of implementing the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).
The association said any excuse by the Government would not augur well for industrial peace.
The teachers made the call in a communiqué jointly signed by the Regional Chairman, Mr Stephen Gebute and the Regional Secretary, Mr Linus Cofie Attey and issued at the end of an emergency regional council meeting held in Bolgatanga.
The council urged the Government to ensure that it kept to its promise of implementing the single spine pay policy for which a white paper had been issued by July 2010 without fail.
In view of this he said the Government and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, (FWSC), should, as a matter of urgency, meet the various labour groups, who have outstanding issues regarding job evaluation, base pay, relativity ratio and placement, among other things, to pave the way for test running of the structure on implementation.
It said with the signing of the Collective Agreement on December 31, 2009, the FWSC, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) must endorse the roadmap for its implementation as presented by the unions as a working document.
They also called on the Government to expedite action particularly on the payment of 15 per cent professional allowance of monthly gross salary to all certified teachers, the payment of 20 per cent of monthly gross salary allowance to teachers at difficult, deprived and under served areas, the payment of 10 per cent of monthly gross allowance for science, mathematics, Information and Communication technology (ICT) and Technical and Vocational Teachers, as well as the various allowances in the Collective Agreement.
Whist commending the Government for some bold efforts at providing for education delivery, the council bemoaned the imminent challenges facing implementation of the new four-year senior high school (SHS) policy and called on the government and educational authorities to provide the needed infrastructure to accommodate the over 140,000 students due to enter the SHS in September as fresh students.
The communiqué emphasised that any delay could adversely affect a great number of prospective students particularly those in Upper East.
The association said any excuse by the Government would not augur well for industrial peace.
The teachers made the call in a communiqué jointly signed by the Regional Chairman, Mr Stephen Gebute and the Regional Secretary, Mr Linus Cofie Attey and issued at the end of an emergency regional council meeting held in Bolgatanga.
The council urged the Government to ensure that it kept to its promise of implementing the single spine pay policy for which a white paper had been issued by July 2010 without fail.
In view of this he said the Government and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, (FWSC), should, as a matter of urgency, meet the various labour groups, who have outstanding issues regarding job evaluation, base pay, relativity ratio and placement, among other things, to pave the way for test running of the structure on implementation.
It said with the signing of the Collective Agreement on December 31, 2009, the FWSC, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) must endorse the roadmap for its implementation as presented by the unions as a working document.
They also called on the Government to expedite action particularly on the payment of 15 per cent professional allowance of monthly gross salary to all certified teachers, the payment of 20 per cent of monthly gross salary allowance to teachers at difficult, deprived and under served areas, the payment of 10 per cent of monthly gross allowance for science, mathematics, Information and Communication technology (ICT) and Technical and Vocational Teachers, as well as the various allowances in the Collective Agreement.
Whist commending the Government for some bold efforts at providing for education delivery, the council bemoaned the imminent challenges facing implementation of the new four-year senior high school (SHS) policy and called on the government and educational authorities to provide the needed infrastructure to accommodate the over 140,000 students due to enter the SHS in September as fresh students.
The communiqué emphasised that any delay could adversely affect a great number of prospective students particularly those in Upper East.
Tuesday 23 March 2010
GHANA'S OIL, GAS RESOURCES...How should expected revenue be used? (JUNIOR GRAPHIC, PAGE 15, MARCH 24, 2010)
I think the oil revenue needs to be utilised in such a way that each Ghanaian will benefit.
Managers of the oil and gas revenue should explore ways in which every Ghanaian, irrespective of his or her location in the country, can have a share of the expected revenue by way of infrastructural development. The government can also use the oil money to improve the educational and health sectors and construct roads.
I would also want the government to use the oil money to build more schools in deprived areas such as the northern part of the country. For instance, I would want to see the setting up of a university, preferably an agricultural university, to help train the youth to become better agriculturists in the future.
I would want to advise the government to ensure that the revenue that will accrue to the nation from oil and gas is used to develop the country.
There are certain sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, health and education, that require a number of facilities which are currently lacking. In the area of education, for instance, I would like to appeal to the government to spend part of the money to train more teachers and build more schools for deprived communities. That way, many young people will be trained and given good education.
With that education, they will become better persons to lead this nation in future. In the north, many communities lack good roads so I would be very happy if part of the revenue is used to provide good roads to open up the hinterland.
I think the oil and gas revenue should be fairly distributed and also invested in the educational sector.
I am particularly worried about the lack of teachers in the classrooms and I would want the government to use the expected revenue from the oil and gas industry to improve the working conditions of teachers.
I would also want to see the provision of more educational infrastructure in the country. With education, a lot more people will be trained and the country will be endowed with quality human resources to handle the affairs of the country.
I think the oil revenue will help the government to develop the country. It is my expectation that with the discovery of the black gold (oil), the right discussions will go on to ensure that the entire nation profits from the rich resource that has just been discovered.
I am of the conviction that the oil that has been discovered, apart from placing Ghana among the group of oil-producing nations, will help solve the occasional fuel shortages which disrupt economic activities in the country.
I hope the government will make good use of the expected revenue so that both present and future generations will benefit from it.
Managers of the oil and gas revenue should explore ways in which every Ghanaian, irrespective of his or her location in the country, can have a share of the expected revenue by way of infrastructural development. The government can also use the oil money to improve the educational and health sectors and construct roads.
I would also want the government to use the oil money to build more schools in deprived areas such as the northern part of the country. For instance, I would want to see the setting up of a university, preferably an agricultural university, to help train the youth to become better agriculturists in the future.
I would want to advise the government to ensure that the revenue that will accrue to the nation from oil and gas is used to develop the country.
There are certain sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, health and education, that require a number of facilities which are currently lacking. In the area of education, for instance, I would like to appeal to the government to spend part of the money to train more teachers and build more schools for deprived communities. That way, many young people will be trained and given good education.
With that education, they will become better persons to lead this nation in future. In the north, many communities lack good roads so I would be very happy if part of the revenue is used to provide good roads to open up the hinterland.
I think the oil and gas revenue should be fairly distributed and also invested in the educational sector.
I am particularly worried about the lack of teachers in the classrooms and I would want the government to use the expected revenue from the oil and gas industry to improve the working conditions of teachers.
I would also want to see the provision of more educational infrastructure in the country. With education, a lot more people will be trained and the country will be endowed with quality human resources to handle the affairs of the country.
I think the oil revenue will help the government to develop the country. It is my expectation that with the discovery of the black gold (oil), the right discussions will go on to ensure that the entire nation profits from the rich resource that has just been discovered.
I am of the conviction that the oil that has been discovered, apart from placing Ghana among the group of oil-producing nations, will help solve the occasional fuel shortages which disrupt economic activities in the country.
I hope the government will make good use of the expected revenue so that both present and future generations will benefit from it.
Sunday 21 March 2010
MAMPRUSIS RESOLVE TO CELEBRATE DAMBA FESTIVAL (PAGE 3, MARCH 20, 2010)
Mamprusis in the Bawku municipality in the Upper East Region have resolved to celebrate the Damba Festival, irrespective of a directive from National Security to call off the celebration.
An Assembly member for Natinga, a Mamprusi settlement in Bawku, Mr Bashiru Salifu, said so far as the Mamprusis were concerned, they had not been served with any letter from National Security restraining them from celebrating the festival scheduled for today, March 20, 2010.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo, told the Daily Graphic that a letter received from the National Security Secretariat, stated that intelligence gathered so far indicated that the peace in Bawku could be compromised if the people went ahead with the celebration.
But, according to the assembly member for Natinga, since the people had not received any letter from National Security banning the celebration of the festival, they would go ahead to celebrate the event.
“We do not understand why we should be restricted. During the Samanpiid Festival by the Kusasis recently, we were assured by the security agencies that we (Mamprusis) would be provided the necessary security when it got to our turn. In fact, we celebrated the Fire Festival last month and no incident occurred, so why should we be prevented from observing the Damba Festival?” he asked.
Meanwhile, some elders of the Mamprusi community who spoke to the Daily Graphic were of the opinion that failure to allow them to celebrate the Damba Festival would amount to discrimination.
They contended that they did not understand why others within the same municipality should be allowed to celebrate their festival while they were being denied the opportunity to celebrate theirs.
An Assembly member for Natinga, a Mamprusi settlement in Bawku, Mr Bashiru Salifu, said so far as the Mamprusis were concerned, they had not been served with any letter from National Security restraining them from celebrating the festival scheduled for today, March 20, 2010.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo, told the Daily Graphic that a letter received from the National Security Secretariat, stated that intelligence gathered so far indicated that the peace in Bawku could be compromised if the people went ahead with the celebration.
But, according to the assembly member for Natinga, since the people had not received any letter from National Security banning the celebration of the festival, they would go ahead to celebrate the event.
“We do not understand why we should be restricted. During the Samanpiid Festival by the Kusasis recently, we were assured by the security agencies that we (Mamprusis) would be provided the necessary security when it got to our turn. In fact, we celebrated the Fire Festival last month and no incident occurred, so why should we be prevented from observing the Damba Festival?” he asked.
Meanwhile, some elders of the Mamprusi community who spoke to the Daily Graphic were of the opinion that failure to allow them to celebrate the Damba Festival would amount to discrimination.
They contended that they did not understand why others within the same municipality should be allowed to celebrate their festival while they were being denied the opportunity to celebrate theirs.
Wednesday 17 March 2010
'DONT FLOUT LAWS ON IMMIGRATION (PAGE 30, MARCH 17, 2010)
THE Upper East Regional Police and the Regional Immigration Service have observed with grave concern, the flagrant abuse of the country’s immigration laws by both immigrants and their hosts.
A statement signed by the Regional Police PRO, Chief Inspector Thomas Agbanyo, and issued in Bolgatanga said the worst notable among the offenders were owners of livestock and their herdsmen, popularly referred to as Fulanis.
According to the statement, records showed that only about one per cent of Fulanis had the requisite documents to stay and work in Ghana.
The situation, it said, posed a hitch in the effort to fight crime, since some perpetrators of certain heinous crimes such as highway robberies, rape and defilement in the bushes were perpetrated by some of the Fulani herdsmen, who escaped to their country of origin without trace.
The statement said by the relevant ECOWAS protocol, nationals of the West African sub-region had free movement to neighbouring states and such nationals were permitted to stay up to 90 days without a visa.
It emphasised that upon the expiration of the 90-day period, any such national wishing to extend his or her stay would have to go back to the Immigration Service for the necessary extension.
The statement said to qualify for entry into a neighbouring state, one was required to possess either a national passport or ECOWAS travel certificate, adding that all other identification cards were unacceptable.
It cautioned that those wishing to work in Ghana must register through the nearest GIS office.
“An immigrant commits an offence under the Immigration Act 2000 (ACT 573) and its accompanying regulations, LI 1691 if he or she fails to fulfil the necessary documentation on immigration.
“Equally important is that anyone hosting or employing an undocumented immigrant commits an offence under the same law if he or she fails to regularise the immigrant’s status,” the statement added.
It, therefore, cautioned that no one would be spared if found culpable under the law, adding that a joint police and Immigration Service operation would start in April this year to arrest and prosecute offenders.
A statement signed by the Regional Police PRO, Chief Inspector Thomas Agbanyo, and issued in Bolgatanga said the worst notable among the offenders were owners of livestock and their herdsmen, popularly referred to as Fulanis.
According to the statement, records showed that only about one per cent of Fulanis had the requisite documents to stay and work in Ghana.
The situation, it said, posed a hitch in the effort to fight crime, since some perpetrators of certain heinous crimes such as highway robberies, rape and defilement in the bushes were perpetrated by some of the Fulani herdsmen, who escaped to their country of origin without trace.
The statement said by the relevant ECOWAS protocol, nationals of the West African sub-region had free movement to neighbouring states and such nationals were permitted to stay up to 90 days without a visa.
It emphasised that upon the expiration of the 90-day period, any such national wishing to extend his or her stay would have to go back to the Immigration Service for the necessary extension.
The statement said to qualify for entry into a neighbouring state, one was required to possess either a national passport or ECOWAS travel certificate, adding that all other identification cards were unacceptable.
It cautioned that those wishing to work in Ghana must register through the nearest GIS office.
“An immigrant commits an offence under the Immigration Act 2000 (ACT 573) and its accompanying regulations, LI 1691 if he or she fails to fulfil the necessary documentation on immigration.
“Equally important is that anyone hosting or employing an undocumented immigrant commits an offence under the same law if he or she fails to regularise the immigrant’s status,” the statement added.
It, therefore, cautioned that no one would be spared if found culpable under the law, adding that a joint police and Immigration Service operation would start in April this year to arrest and prosecute offenders.
AVUTUBISI COMMUNITY GETS MECHANISED BOREHOLE (BACK PAGE, MARCH 17, 2010)
A mechanised borehole to serve 2,000 people in the Avutubisi community, near Bolgatanga, has been inaugurated.
The project, which cost GH¢43,400, was funded jointly by the Tom Herdeman Family from The Netherlands and Aqua Vitens Rand (AVRL) Ltd.
Inaugurating the facility, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo, said a programme had been designed to drill 200 boreholes in the region to supply potable water to the people.
He expressed the hope that with the provision of water, sanitation in the area would improve.
He charged municipal and district assemblies to enforce bye-laws that mandated landlords to provide toilet facilities in their houses.
He said the government was soliciting support from The Netherlands government to construct a new water treatment plant on the Tono Dam in the Kassena-Nankana East District.
The project, estimated to cost 40 million euros, is expected to complement the current production levels from the Vea Head Works and supply water to areas in the Kassena-Nankana East and West districts, the Builsa District and parts of the Bolgatanga municipality.
The Managing Director of AVRL, Mr Martins Nijsse, charged the community to make good use of the borehole and ensure that it was maintained regularly.
The Regional Distribution Manager of the AVRL, Mr George Yanore, said under its water for life project, the company had constructed similar projects in Bawku and Navrongo, with Bawku alone benefiting from 10 projects, while Navrongo had five.
A representative of the Avutubisi community, Mr Dominic Akwibire, commended the Herdeman Family and the AVRL for the gesture and gave the assurance that the community would put the facility to good use.
The project, which cost GH¢43,400, was funded jointly by the Tom Herdeman Family from The Netherlands and Aqua Vitens Rand (AVRL) Ltd.
Inaugurating the facility, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo, said a programme had been designed to drill 200 boreholes in the region to supply potable water to the people.
He expressed the hope that with the provision of water, sanitation in the area would improve.
He charged municipal and district assemblies to enforce bye-laws that mandated landlords to provide toilet facilities in their houses.
He said the government was soliciting support from The Netherlands government to construct a new water treatment plant on the Tono Dam in the Kassena-Nankana East District.
The project, estimated to cost 40 million euros, is expected to complement the current production levels from the Vea Head Works and supply water to areas in the Kassena-Nankana East and West districts, the Builsa District and parts of the Bolgatanga municipality.
The Managing Director of AVRL, Mr Martins Nijsse, charged the community to make good use of the borehole and ensure that it was maintained regularly.
The Regional Distribution Manager of the AVRL, Mr George Yanore, said under its water for life project, the company had constructed similar projects in Bawku and Navrongo, with Bawku alone benefiting from 10 projects, while Navrongo had five.
A representative of the Avutubisi community, Mr Dominic Akwibire, commended the Herdeman Family and the AVRL for the gesture and gave the assurance that the community would put the facility to good use.
Sunday 14 March 2010
CHPS COMPOUND INAUGURATED AT NATE (PAGE 40, MARCH 15, 2010)
A COMMUNITY-BASED Health Planning Services (CHPS) compound has been inaugurated at Aloko in the Garu-Tempane District.
The three-bedroom house with toilet, bath and a borehole, was built with funds from the District Wide Assistant Programme.
Speaking at a brief ceremony to hand over the project to the community, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Garu-Tempane, Mr David Adakudugu, said the provision of the facility was meant to bring health delivery to the doorsteps of the people and alleviate their suffering. “Hitherto, these people had to trek between 10 and 15 kilometres to access health care services either at Garu or Denugu, but with the provision of this facility, they will be able to access health care right at their doorstep,” the DCE said.
He expressed the hope that members of the community would take good care of the facility and maintain it, adding that efforts would be made to extend similar facilities to other communities in the district.
The chief of the area, Naba Ndeyaba Atampurre, commended the district assembly for constructing the facility after the previous one collapsed several years ago.
The assembly member for the area, Mr Kwame Issaka, said the provision of the facility would help in the reduction of maternal mortality rate in the area.
While commending the government for providing the facility, he implored the Ghana Health Service to post a dedicated and committed community health officer to the area to take charge of the facility.
Meanwhile the DCE for Garu-Tempane, David Adakudugu, has expressed the desire of the assembly to ensure that development projects are evenly distributed in the district.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic after a tour of the district, Mr Adakudugu said in spite of the huge debt that the assembly inherited from the previous administration, his outfit was committed to providing the entire district with the necessary social amenities.
He stated that on assumption of office, he realised that a total of 26 projects, mainly educational infrastructure costing GH¢880,000 had been awarded on contract by the previous administration.
“What we decided to do was to see how best we could pay for these contracts and complete those which were still under construction,” Mr Adakudugu said.
He disclosed that, last year, the assembly made payments of GH¢400,000, adding that this year, the assembly had allocated GH¢480,000 from its share of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund to clear the outstanding debts. This is to ensure that all projects under construction were completed and put into good use.
“Our government has stated categorically that it will continue with all projects started by the previous government, provided they are not clouded with certain uncertainties. Once we are satisfied that the projects are meant for the benefit of the entire community, we will finish and put them to good use,” the DCE said.
The three-bedroom house with toilet, bath and a borehole, was built with funds from the District Wide Assistant Programme.
Speaking at a brief ceremony to hand over the project to the community, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Garu-Tempane, Mr David Adakudugu, said the provision of the facility was meant to bring health delivery to the doorsteps of the people and alleviate their suffering. “Hitherto, these people had to trek between 10 and 15 kilometres to access health care services either at Garu or Denugu, but with the provision of this facility, they will be able to access health care right at their doorstep,” the DCE said.
He expressed the hope that members of the community would take good care of the facility and maintain it, adding that efforts would be made to extend similar facilities to other communities in the district.
The chief of the area, Naba Ndeyaba Atampurre, commended the district assembly for constructing the facility after the previous one collapsed several years ago.
The assembly member for the area, Mr Kwame Issaka, said the provision of the facility would help in the reduction of maternal mortality rate in the area.
While commending the government for providing the facility, he implored the Ghana Health Service to post a dedicated and committed community health officer to the area to take charge of the facility.
Meanwhile the DCE for Garu-Tempane, David Adakudugu, has expressed the desire of the assembly to ensure that development projects are evenly distributed in the district.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic after a tour of the district, Mr Adakudugu said in spite of the huge debt that the assembly inherited from the previous administration, his outfit was committed to providing the entire district with the necessary social amenities.
He stated that on assumption of office, he realised that a total of 26 projects, mainly educational infrastructure costing GH¢880,000 had been awarded on contract by the previous administration.
“What we decided to do was to see how best we could pay for these contracts and complete those which were still under construction,” Mr Adakudugu said.
He disclosed that, last year, the assembly made payments of GH¢400,000, adding that this year, the assembly had allocated GH¢480,000 from its share of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund to clear the outstanding debts. This is to ensure that all projects under construction were completed and put into good use.
“Our government has stated categorically that it will continue with all projects started by the previous government, provided they are not clouded with certain uncertainties. Once we are satisfied that the projects are meant for the benefit of the entire community, we will finish and put them to good use,” the DCE said.
CHPS COMPOUND INAUGURATED AT NATE (PAGE 40, MARCH 15, 2010)
A COMMUNITY-BASED Health Planning Services (CHPS) compound has been inaugurated at Aloko in the Garu-Tempane District.
The three-bedroom house with toilet, bath and a borehole, was built with funds from the District Wide Assistant Programme.
Speaking at a brief ceremony to hand over the project to the community, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Garu-Tempane, Mr David Adakudugu, said the provision of the facility was meant to bring health delivery to the doorsteps of the people and alleviate their suffering. “Hitherto, these people had to trek between 10 and 15 kilometres to access health care services either at Garu or Denugu, but with the provision of this facility, they will be able to access health care right at their doorstep,” the DCE said.
He expressed the hope that members of the community would take good care of the facility and maintain it, adding that efforts would be made to extend similar facilities to other communities in the district.
The chief of the area, Naba Ndeyaba Atampurre, commended the district assembly for constructing the facility after the previous one collapsed several years ago.
The assembly member for the area, Mr Kwame Issaka, said the provision of the facility would help in the reduction of maternal mortality rate in the area.
While commending the government for providing the facility, he implored the Ghana Health Service to post a dedicated and committed community health officer to the area to take charge of the facility.
Meanwhile the DCE for Garu-Tempane, David Adakudugu, has expressed the desire of the assembly to ensure that development projects are evenly distributed in the district.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic after a tour of the district, Mr Adakudugu said in spite of the huge debt that the assembly inherited from the previous administration, his outfit was committed to providing the entire district with the necessary social amenities.
He stated that on assumption of office, he realised that a total of 26 projects, mainly educational infrastructure costing GH¢880,000 had been awarded on contract by the previous administration.
“What we decided to do was to see how best we could pay for these contracts and complete those which were still under construction,” Mr Adakudugu said.
He disclosed that, last year, the assembly made payments of GH¢400,000, adding that this year, the assembly had allocated GH¢480,000 from its share of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund to clear the outstanding debts. This is to ensure that all projects under construction were completed and put into good use.
“Our government has stated categorically that it will continue with all projects started by the previous government, provided they are not clouded with certain uncertainties. Once we are satisfied that the projects are meant for the benefit of the entire community, we will finish and put them to good use,” the DCE said.
The three-bedroom house with toilet, bath and a borehole, was built with funds from the District Wide Assistant Programme.
Speaking at a brief ceremony to hand over the project to the community, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Garu-Tempane, Mr David Adakudugu, said the provision of the facility was meant to bring health delivery to the doorsteps of the people and alleviate their suffering. “Hitherto, these people had to trek between 10 and 15 kilometres to access health care services either at Garu or Denugu, but with the provision of this facility, they will be able to access health care right at their doorstep,” the DCE said.
He expressed the hope that members of the community would take good care of the facility and maintain it, adding that efforts would be made to extend similar facilities to other communities in the district.
The chief of the area, Naba Ndeyaba Atampurre, commended the district assembly for constructing the facility after the previous one collapsed several years ago.
The assembly member for the area, Mr Kwame Issaka, said the provision of the facility would help in the reduction of maternal mortality rate in the area.
While commending the government for providing the facility, he implored the Ghana Health Service to post a dedicated and committed community health officer to the area to take charge of the facility.
Meanwhile the DCE for Garu-Tempane, David Adakudugu, has expressed the desire of the assembly to ensure that development projects are evenly distributed in the district.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic after a tour of the district, Mr Adakudugu said in spite of the huge debt that the assembly inherited from the previous administration, his outfit was committed to providing the entire district with the necessary social amenities.
He stated that on assumption of office, he realised that a total of 26 projects, mainly educational infrastructure costing GH¢880,000 had been awarded on contract by the previous administration.
“What we decided to do was to see how best we could pay for these contracts and complete those which were still under construction,” Mr Adakudugu said.
He disclosed that, last year, the assembly made payments of GH¢400,000, adding that this year, the assembly had allocated GH¢480,000 from its share of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund to clear the outstanding debts. This is to ensure that all projects under construction were completed and put into good use.
“Our government has stated categorically that it will continue with all projects started by the previous government, provided they are not clouded with certain uncertainties. Once we are satisfied that the projects are meant for the benefit of the entire community, we will finish and put them to good use,” the DCE said.
ASSEMBLY DONATES EXERCISE BOOKS TO PUPILS (PAGE 40, MARCH 15, 2010)
THE Garu Tempane District Assembly has presented a number of exercise books to the District Directorate of Education for free distribution to pupils in the district.
The donation is in fulfilment of the promise made by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in its manifesto to provide affordable and easy access to education for all Ghanaians.
Presenting some of the exercise books to pupils of Nate Primary School, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Mr David Adakudugu, said the government was committed to the creation of the right atmosphere to facilitate the effective delivery of education for every child.
He said the assembly had taken delivery of 27,685 exercise books which is the first consignment of exercise books, adding that an additional 98,000 were expected for distribution to schools in the district.
Mr Adakudugu said in addition to the free exercise books, the assembly had also taken delivery of school uniforms which would be distributed freely to schoolchildren to enhance quality education in the district.
The District Director of Education, Mr Emmanuel Zumakpee, on behalf of the District Education Directorate, expressed gratitude to President John Atta Mills and the NDC government for the gesture.
He charged headmasters in the district to ensure that the books were distributed to the pupils and not kept in cupboards, since that would defeat the purpose for which they were presented.
The Headmaster of Nate Primary School, Mr Moses Ndebugri Atibilla, also commended the government for the gesture,.
He, however, expressed the hope that the programme would be sustained to encourage children in deprived communities to stay in school.
The donation is in fulfilment of the promise made by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in its manifesto to provide affordable and easy access to education for all Ghanaians.
Presenting some of the exercise books to pupils of Nate Primary School, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Mr David Adakudugu, said the government was committed to the creation of the right atmosphere to facilitate the effective delivery of education for every child.
He said the assembly had taken delivery of 27,685 exercise books which is the first consignment of exercise books, adding that an additional 98,000 were expected for distribution to schools in the district.
Mr Adakudugu said in addition to the free exercise books, the assembly had also taken delivery of school uniforms which would be distributed freely to schoolchildren to enhance quality education in the district.
The District Director of Education, Mr Emmanuel Zumakpee, on behalf of the District Education Directorate, expressed gratitude to President John Atta Mills and the NDC government for the gesture.
He charged headmasters in the district to ensure that the books were distributed to the pupils and not kept in cupboards, since that would defeat the purpose for which they were presented.
The Headmaster of Nate Primary School, Mr Moses Ndebugri Atibilla, also commended the government for the gesture,.
He, however, expressed the hope that the programme would be sustained to encourage children in deprived communities to stay in school.
NGO OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO THE POOR (PAGE 40, MARCH 15, 2010)
TRAX Ghana, a Bolgatanga-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), has been assisting many people with several programmes targeted at alleviating their hardships.
Speaking on the activities of Trax Programme Support over the past 20 years, the Director, Mr Vincent Subbey, said the Trax Programme Support (TRAX), which was established in 1989 by a group of former Silsoe College students, was a registered non-governmental organisation (NGO) whose aim was to support people in the Development of Sustainable Livelihoods within resource-poor communities in northern Ghana.
“This means the programme not only improves food security and raises income levels, but also promotes community development and effective leadership. Northern Ghana was targeted because subsistence agriculture is the main economic activity (source of livelihood) of the rural population.
“The issue of soil and water conservation is one of the most pressing problems facing resource-poor farmers. Poor soil fertility and unreliable access to water, among others, have led to low crop yield, poverty and deprivation,“ he said.
According to him, the mission of the organisation was to empower rural communities in Ghana through sustainable capacity development to achieve and sustain improvement in their environment and livelihoods.
Mr Subbey explained that the emphasis of TRAX’s interventions was clearly on empowerment, that is, improving skills, building capacities and ensuring sustainable improvements in the environment and livelihoods of disadvantaged rural farming communities.
He explained that the empowerment was carried out through animation and training sessions, demonstrations and farmer fields, video shows, as well as exchange of visits.
According to him, 20 years after its establishment, TRAX had gained a high reputation in northern Ghana for promoting Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA) techniques.
That, Mr Subbey said, had helped to break the cycle of dependency of resource-poor farmers on cash, especially for chemical inputs or other external support.
He said farmers had seen crops growing on what had been bare rocks; trees flourishing on what they thought were barren soil and, most significantly, they knew that the transformation had been brought about by nothing more than hard work, familiar tools and adaptation to improved versions of the techniques (local knowledge) their ancestors used.
Mr Subbey said in 1997 farmers across the border in Togo approached TRAX in its project areas around Bunkpurugu and requested similar assistance, having seen the benefits of the work with their relatives there.
He stated that TRAX was honoured by the Bolgatanga District Assembly (now Municipal Assembly) in 1997 for its outstanding contribution to education, environmental protection and support.
Mr Subbey said TRAX received an award in 2003 from Women in Development for its contribution to development of women and children in northern Ghana.
He added that at the 2007 national celebration of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought held at Bawku, TRAX was recognised and honoured for its soil conservation practices.
Speaking on the activities of Trax Programme Support over the past 20 years, the Director, Mr Vincent Subbey, said the Trax Programme Support (TRAX), which was established in 1989 by a group of former Silsoe College students, was a registered non-governmental organisation (NGO) whose aim was to support people in the Development of Sustainable Livelihoods within resource-poor communities in northern Ghana.
“This means the programme not only improves food security and raises income levels, but also promotes community development and effective leadership. Northern Ghana was targeted because subsistence agriculture is the main economic activity (source of livelihood) of the rural population.
“The issue of soil and water conservation is one of the most pressing problems facing resource-poor farmers. Poor soil fertility and unreliable access to water, among others, have led to low crop yield, poverty and deprivation,“ he said.
According to him, the mission of the organisation was to empower rural communities in Ghana through sustainable capacity development to achieve and sustain improvement in their environment and livelihoods.
Mr Subbey explained that the emphasis of TRAX’s interventions was clearly on empowerment, that is, improving skills, building capacities and ensuring sustainable improvements in the environment and livelihoods of disadvantaged rural farming communities.
He explained that the empowerment was carried out through animation and training sessions, demonstrations and farmer fields, video shows, as well as exchange of visits.
According to him, 20 years after its establishment, TRAX had gained a high reputation in northern Ghana for promoting Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA) techniques.
That, Mr Subbey said, had helped to break the cycle of dependency of resource-poor farmers on cash, especially for chemical inputs or other external support.
He said farmers had seen crops growing on what had been bare rocks; trees flourishing on what they thought were barren soil and, most significantly, they knew that the transformation had been brought about by nothing more than hard work, familiar tools and adaptation to improved versions of the techniques (local knowledge) their ancestors used.
Mr Subbey said in 1997 farmers across the border in Togo approached TRAX in its project areas around Bunkpurugu and requested similar assistance, having seen the benefits of the work with their relatives there.
He stated that TRAX was honoured by the Bolgatanga District Assembly (now Municipal Assembly) in 1997 for its outstanding contribution to education, environmental protection and support.
Mr Subbey said TRAX received an award in 2003 from Women in Development for its contribution to development of women and children in northern Ghana.
He added that at the 2007 national celebration of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought held at Bawku, TRAX was recognised and honoured for its soil conservation practices.
PROJECT TO ADDRESS IMBALANCES IN EDUCATION DELIVERY LAUNCHED (PAGE 40, MARCH 15, 2010)
EDUCATIONAL development in Ghana has seen some improvement in the last decade, particularly in the provision of infrastructure and enrolment rates especially for girls at the basic level.
There are, however, many children in Ghana, especially girls, who do not attend school, leading to wide disparities between northern Ghana and the rest of the country.
Northern Ghana, comprising Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, is believed to be the poorest in the country, with majority of families being categorised as poor.
There is also evidence suggesting that poor children in rural areas throughout the country are getting lower quality education than their urban counterparts.
It is to address this problem that the Voluntary Services Organisation (VSO) Ghana, with support from Comic Relief, UK, has launched a project aimed at addressing the imbalances in education delivery to the poor in northern Ghana.
Dubbed: “Tackling Education Inclusively (TENI)”, it seeks to improve transition, completion and quality of basic education for disadvantaged children, particularly girls in northern Ghana.
Elaborating on the objectives of the project, Mr Eric Dourinaah, who is in charge of the VSO office in Bolgatanga, said the project was a 10-year programme with the first phase spanning 2009-2013.
He said TENI covered three deprived districts, namely Talensi-Nabdam in the Upper East Region, Jirapa in the Upper West Region and West Mamprusis in the Northern Region.
Mr Dourinaah said under the project, about 2,000 teachers, including national volunteer teachers and 237 head teachers and circuit supervisors in 80 per cent of basic schools in the beneficiary districts, would have the capacity and motivation to deliver quality education and support pupils, particularly girls and children with disabilities, to improve their performance.
He explained that apart from working closely with district directorates of education and district assemblies, the VSO, in collaboration with SMC/PTAs and community leaders in the 237 communities in the three districts would also collaborate with the National Volunteer Programme to facilitate the programme.
Speaking at an orientation workshop for National Service and Volunteers Personnel, the Talensi-Nabdam District Co-ordinator of the National Service Scheme, Mr Michael Zuri, welcomed the move, stressing that it would go a long way to augment the shortage of teachers in the classrooms.
He admonished the service persons to do their best to change the perception that offering national service was only a requirement that did not require hard work.
“National Service and volunteerism should be seen as a unique opportunity to contribute to national development. Service persons must develop and re-orient themselves to see the unique opportunities that exist through offering national service,” Mr Zuri said.
He expressed the scheme’s commitment to work with partners to ensure that adequate personnel were available to impart knowledge to pupils in deprived communities.
The Talensi-Nabdam District Director of Education, Mr Francis Ayaaba, reminded service persons in the district that national service was a process in building leadership.
He added that apart from imparting knowledge to children, the service persons were also expected to reach out and touch lives of the people around them.
“The extent to which you teach well or badly goes a long way to shape the children and influence them,” Mr Ayaaba said.
He reminded them of the code of conduct for teachers, stressing that as stakeholders in education, service persons were also required to abide by this to avoid trouble.
Mr Ayaaba also spoke against sexual harassment, alcoholism, drug abuse and lateness to work.
A VSO volunteer, Mr Anthony Lovat, said the future of the child from the poor and deprived areas of northern Ghana lay in the hands of a committed volunteer teacher.
“As volunteer teachers, you are more important to the future of the district and the country than all the politicians, NGO workers and administrators,” he said.
EDUCATIONAL development in Ghana has seen some improvement in the last decade, particularly in the provision of infrastructure and enrolment rates especially for girls at the basic level.
There are, however, many children in Ghana, especially girls, who do not attend school, leading to wide disparities between northern Ghana and the rest of the country.
Northern Ghana, comprising Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, is believed to be the poorest in the country, with majority of families being categorised as poor.
There is also evidence suggesting that poor children in rural areas throughout the country are getting lower quality education than their urban counterparts.
It is to address this problem that the Voluntary Services Organisation (VSO) Ghana, with support from Comic Relief, UK, has launched a project aimed at addressing the imbalances in education delivery to the poor in northern Ghana.
Dubbed: “Tackling Education Inclusively (TENI)”, it seeks to improve transition, completion and quality of basic education for disadvantaged children, particularly girls in northern Ghana.
Elaborating on the objectives of the project, Mr Eric Dourinaah, who is in charge of the VSO office in Bolgatanga, said the project was a 10-year programme with the first phase spanning 2009-2013.
He said TENI covered three deprived districts, namely Talensi-Nabdam in the Upper East Region, Jirapa in the Upper West Region and West Mamprusis in the Northern Region.
Mr Dourinaah said under the project, about 2,000 teachers, including national volunteer teachers and 237 head teachers and circuit supervisors in 80 per cent of basic schools in the beneficiary districts, would have the capacity and motivation to deliver quality education and support pupils, particularly girls and children with disabilities, to improve their performance.
He explained that apart from working closely with district directorates of education and district assemblies, the VSO, in collaboration with SMC/PTAs and community leaders in the 237 communities in the three districts would also collaborate with the National Volunteer Programme to facilitate the programme.
Speaking at an orientation workshop for National Service and Volunteers Personnel, the Talensi-Nabdam District Co-ordinator of the National Service Scheme, Mr Michael Zuri, welcomed the move, stressing that it would go a long way to augment the shortage of teachers in the classrooms.
He admonished the service persons to do their best to change the perception that offering national service was only a requirement that did not require hard work.
“National Service and volunteerism should be seen as a unique opportunity to contribute to national development. Service persons must develop and re-orient themselves to see the unique opportunities that exist through offering national service,” Mr Zuri said.
He expressed the scheme’s commitment to work with partners to ensure that adequate personnel were available to impart knowledge to pupils in deprived communities.
The Talensi-Nabdam District Director of Education, Mr Francis Ayaaba, reminded service persons in the district that national service was a process in building leadership.
He added that apart from imparting knowledge to children, the service persons were also expected to reach out and touch lives of the people around them.
“The extent to which you teach well or badly goes a long way to shape the children and influence them,” Mr Ayaaba said.
He reminded them of the code of conduct for teachers, stressing that as stakeholders in education, service persons were also required to abide by this to avoid trouble.
Mr Ayaaba also spoke against sexual harassment, alcoholism, drug abuse and lateness to work.
A VSO volunteer, Mr Anthony Lovat, said the future of the child from the poor and deprived areas of northern Ghana lay in the hands of a committed volunteer teacher.
“As volunteer teachers, you are more important to the future of the district and the country than all the politicians, NGO workers and administrators,” he said.
There are, however, many children in Ghana, especially girls, who do not attend school, leading to wide disparities between northern Ghana and the rest of the country.
Northern Ghana, comprising Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, is believed to be the poorest in the country, with majority of families being categorised as poor.
There is also evidence suggesting that poor children in rural areas throughout the country are getting lower quality education than their urban counterparts.
It is to address this problem that the Voluntary Services Organisation (VSO) Ghana, with support from Comic Relief, UK, has launched a project aimed at addressing the imbalances in education delivery to the poor in northern Ghana.
Dubbed: “Tackling Education Inclusively (TENI)”, it seeks to improve transition, completion and quality of basic education for disadvantaged children, particularly girls in northern Ghana.
Elaborating on the objectives of the project, Mr Eric Dourinaah, who is in charge of the VSO office in Bolgatanga, said the project was a 10-year programme with the first phase spanning 2009-2013.
He said TENI covered three deprived districts, namely Talensi-Nabdam in the Upper East Region, Jirapa in the Upper West Region and West Mamprusis in the Northern Region.
Mr Dourinaah said under the project, about 2,000 teachers, including national volunteer teachers and 237 head teachers and circuit supervisors in 80 per cent of basic schools in the beneficiary districts, would have the capacity and motivation to deliver quality education and support pupils, particularly girls and children with disabilities, to improve their performance.
He explained that apart from working closely with district directorates of education and district assemblies, the VSO, in collaboration with SMC/PTAs and community leaders in the 237 communities in the three districts would also collaborate with the National Volunteer Programme to facilitate the programme.
Speaking at an orientation workshop for National Service and Volunteers Personnel, the Talensi-Nabdam District Co-ordinator of the National Service Scheme, Mr Michael Zuri, welcomed the move, stressing that it would go a long way to augment the shortage of teachers in the classrooms.
He admonished the service persons to do their best to change the perception that offering national service was only a requirement that did not require hard work.
“National Service and volunteerism should be seen as a unique opportunity to contribute to national development. Service persons must develop and re-orient themselves to see the unique opportunities that exist through offering national service,” Mr Zuri said.
He expressed the scheme’s commitment to work with partners to ensure that adequate personnel were available to impart knowledge to pupils in deprived communities.
The Talensi-Nabdam District Director of Education, Mr Francis Ayaaba, reminded service persons in the district that national service was a process in building leadership.
He added that apart from imparting knowledge to children, the service persons were also expected to reach out and touch lives of the people around them.
“The extent to which you teach well or badly goes a long way to shape the children and influence them,” Mr Ayaaba said.
He reminded them of the code of conduct for teachers, stressing that as stakeholders in education, service persons were also required to abide by this to avoid trouble.
Mr Ayaaba also spoke against sexual harassment, alcoholism, drug abuse and lateness to work.
A VSO volunteer, Mr Anthony Lovat, said the future of the child from the poor and deprived areas of northern Ghana lay in the hands of a committed volunteer teacher.
“As volunteer teachers, you are more important to the future of the district and the country than all the politicians, NGO workers and administrators,” he said.
EDUCATIONAL development in Ghana has seen some improvement in the last decade, particularly in the provision of infrastructure and enrolment rates especially for girls at the basic level.
There are, however, many children in Ghana, especially girls, who do not attend school, leading to wide disparities between northern Ghana and the rest of the country.
Northern Ghana, comprising Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, is believed to be the poorest in the country, with majority of families being categorised as poor.
There is also evidence suggesting that poor children in rural areas throughout the country are getting lower quality education than their urban counterparts.
It is to address this problem that the Voluntary Services Organisation (VSO) Ghana, with support from Comic Relief, UK, has launched a project aimed at addressing the imbalances in education delivery to the poor in northern Ghana.
Dubbed: “Tackling Education Inclusively (TENI)”, it seeks to improve transition, completion and quality of basic education for disadvantaged children, particularly girls in northern Ghana.
Elaborating on the objectives of the project, Mr Eric Dourinaah, who is in charge of the VSO office in Bolgatanga, said the project was a 10-year programme with the first phase spanning 2009-2013.
He said TENI covered three deprived districts, namely Talensi-Nabdam in the Upper East Region, Jirapa in the Upper West Region and West Mamprusis in the Northern Region.
Mr Dourinaah said under the project, about 2,000 teachers, including national volunteer teachers and 237 head teachers and circuit supervisors in 80 per cent of basic schools in the beneficiary districts, would have the capacity and motivation to deliver quality education and support pupils, particularly girls and children with disabilities, to improve their performance.
He explained that apart from working closely with district directorates of education and district assemblies, the VSO, in collaboration with SMC/PTAs and community leaders in the 237 communities in the three districts would also collaborate with the National Volunteer Programme to facilitate the programme.
Speaking at an orientation workshop for National Service and Volunteers Personnel, the Talensi-Nabdam District Co-ordinator of the National Service Scheme, Mr Michael Zuri, welcomed the move, stressing that it would go a long way to augment the shortage of teachers in the classrooms.
He admonished the service persons to do their best to change the perception that offering national service was only a requirement that did not require hard work.
“National Service and volunteerism should be seen as a unique opportunity to contribute to national development. Service persons must develop and re-orient themselves to see the unique opportunities that exist through offering national service,” Mr Zuri said.
He expressed the scheme’s commitment to work with partners to ensure that adequate personnel were available to impart knowledge to pupils in deprived communities.
The Talensi-Nabdam District Director of Education, Mr Francis Ayaaba, reminded service persons in the district that national service was a process in building leadership.
He added that apart from imparting knowledge to children, the service persons were also expected to reach out and touch lives of the people around them.
“The extent to which you teach well or badly goes a long way to shape the children and influence them,” Mr Ayaaba said.
He reminded them of the code of conduct for teachers, stressing that as stakeholders in education, service persons were also required to abide by this to avoid trouble.
Mr Ayaaba also spoke against sexual harassment, alcoholism, drug abuse and lateness to work.
A VSO volunteer, Mr Anthony Lovat, said the future of the child from the poor and deprived areas of northern Ghana lay in the hands of a committed volunteer teacher.
“As volunteer teachers, you are more important to the future of the district and the country than all the politicians, NGO workers and administrators,” he said.
Thursday 4 March 2010
CELEBRITY CLUBHOSTS COUPLES IN BOLGATANGA (SHOWBIZ, PAGE 8, FEB 11, 2010)
By Benjamin Xornam Glover
Entertainment joints in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region are busy preparing special events for this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration and one of them, Celebrity Night Club, is keen to ensure that patrons get to appreciate the real value of the day.
Celebrity Night Club is located within Bolco Hotel and the club’s manager, Mr. Newman Dee says in order to break the promiscuity notion that has come to be associated with Valentine’s Day, Celebrity will offer couples an opportunity to celebrate the day in style at an event dubbed Mr and Miss Valentine.
According to Mr Dee, the event will be for married couples and persons in serious relationships to tell of their experiences. The best stories will attract prizes.
The couple that wins the first prize will receive a 14-inch television set. The second place winners will get a DVD player and a gift voucher worth GHC30 while the third place winners receive a gift voucher worth GHC40.
In addition, the three winning couples will be treated to a sumptuous meal at the SWAP restaurant in Bolgatanga.
Mr. Dee added that apart from the experience-sharing session, there will be a special educational package on HIV/AIDS to create awareness of the disease.
The Mr and Miss Valentine event at Celebrity Night Club in Bolgatanga is supported by Timberland Boutique, Tuga International, Daily Needs Ventures and SWAP restaurant.
Entertainment joints in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region are busy preparing special events for this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration and one of them, Celebrity Night Club, is keen to ensure that patrons get to appreciate the real value of the day.
Celebrity Night Club is located within Bolco Hotel and the club’s manager, Mr. Newman Dee says in order to break the promiscuity notion that has come to be associated with Valentine’s Day, Celebrity will offer couples an opportunity to celebrate the day in style at an event dubbed Mr and Miss Valentine.
According to Mr Dee, the event will be for married couples and persons in serious relationships to tell of their experiences. The best stories will attract prizes.
The couple that wins the first prize will receive a 14-inch television set. The second place winners will get a DVD player and a gift voucher worth GHC30 while the third place winners receive a gift voucher worth GHC40.
In addition, the three winning couples will be treated to a sumptuous meal at the SWAP restaurant in Bolgatanga.
Mr. Dee added that apart from the experience-sharing session, there will be a special educational package on HIV/AIDS to create awareness of the disease.
The Mr and Miss Valentine event at Celebrity Night Club in Bolgatanga is supported by Timberland Boutique, Tuga International, Daily Needs Ventures and SWAP restaurant.
HEROS WELCOME FOR JUST LIKE YOU WINNER (SHOWBIZ, PAGE 3, JAN 21, 2010)
By Benjamin Xornam Glover
LAST Sunday, the winner of the just ended reality show, Just Like You competition, Christopher Seweh made a triumphant return to his native Upper East Region.
The young man who mimicked ex-president, J.J Rawlings to win the maiden edition of the reality show aired on TV Africa received a hero's welcome from locals on arrival at Winkogo, a few kilometres away from Bolgatanga, the regional capital and was ushered into the town in a convoy of cars and motor bikes.
Christopher arrived at about 7pm and was received by a cheering crowd who escorted him to the premises of A1 Radio, his employers where he presented the cheque of GHc 1,500 he won to the manager of the station.
After that he went on air to address the people and thanked them for their support.
Later in an interview with the Graphic Showbiz, Christopher expressed appreciation to God for guiding him through the competition.
“ I am also very grateful to the people of the Upper East region for their massive support. I know that although most people could not watch the programme since TV Africa was not a free-to-air channel in the region, the mere announcements on local radio stations to support me yielded massive response”, he said.
He was particularly thankful to all the local radio stations in the region for supporting him and said this shows that the people really loved their own.
“I want to dedicate this award to the people of this region because it is they who have made me who I am today.
“ I am ever ready to share my experience with anybody who intends to enter the next edition of the programme. I am sure there are many more talents in the region who can perform better than I did”, he said.
The following day, Christopher called on the Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, Mr. Epsona H. Ayamga who praised him for putting the Upper East Region and its inhabitants on the entertainment map.
“Do not rest on your oars, this should be the beginning of greater things to come”, the MCE said.
The proud winner later went on a float in town to acknowledge the support from the people.
LAST Sunday, the winner of the just ended reality show, Just Like You competition, Christopher Seweh made a triumphant return to his native Upper East Region.
The young man who mimicked ex-president, J.J Rawlings to win the maiden edition of the reality show aired on TV Africa received a hero's welcome from locals on arrival at Winkogo, a few kilometres away from Bolgatanga, the regional capital and was ushered into the town in a convoy of cars and motor bikes.
Christopher arrived at about 7pm and was received by a cheering crowd who escorted him to the premises of A1 Radio, his employers where he presented the cheque of GHc 1,500 he won to the manager of the station.
After that he went on air to address the people and thanked them for their support.
Later in an interview with the Graphic Showbiz, Christopher expressed appreciation to God for guiding him through the competition.
“ I am also very grateful to the people of the Upper East region for their massive support. I know that although most people could not watch the programme since TV Africa was not a free-to-air channel in the region, the mere announcements on local radio stations to support me yielded massive response”, he said.
He was particularly thankful to all the local radio stations in the region for supporting him and said this shows that the people really loved their own.
“I want to dedicate this award to the people of this region because it is they who have made me who I am today.
“ I am ever ready to share my experience with anybody who intends to enter the next edition of the programme. I am sure there are many more talents in the region who can perform better than I did”, he said.
The following day, Christopher called on the Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, Mr. Epsona H. Ayamga who praised him for putting the Upper East Region and its inhabitants on the entertainment map.
“Do not rest on your oars, this should be the beginning of greater things to come”, the MCE said.
The proud winner later went on a float in town to acknowledge the support from the people.
Wednesday 3 March 2010
MENINGITIS VACINES IN (BACK PAGE, MARCH 3, 2010)
VACCINES needed to combat the Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) outbreak in the northern part of the country, W315, arrived in Accra yesterday from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Upon arrival, the vaccines were immediately airlifted to the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions for vaccination to begin.
The Minister of Health, Dr Benjamin Kunbour, who has been touring the affected areas, told the media that with the arrival of the vaccines, the situation was under control and advised people not to panic.
Accompanied by Mr Mark Woyongo, the Upper East Regional Minister; Dr John Koku Awoonor-Williams, the Regional Director of Health Services, and other officials of the Regional Health Directorate, Dr Kunbour said, “Our tour of the region has not shown any evidence of people just walking and dying as sections of the media have tried to portray.”
Dr Kunbour said CSM was not a new disease as some people perceived it to be because clinical studies showed it had been with the people for years, adding that the Ministry of Health (MoH) had since November, 2009 been anticipating some aspects of the situation.
He said that explained the speed with which a team of experts from the national and regional levels, with the support of their international agencies, had responded rapidly to reduce the effect of the outbreak.
The health minister gave the assurance that the government would do all it could to ensure that the needed quantity of vaccines were brought in to bring the situation under control.
Dr Awoonor-Williams announced that 94 meningitis cases had so far been recorded in the region as of February 28, 2010, adding that of the 94 cases, 20 of them were confirmed to be meningitis W135. He also confirmed that 13 deaths had been recorded.
According to Dr Awoonor-Williams, the MoH had supplied 100,000 doses of the vaccines for distribution to the nine districts in the Upper East Region.
These vaccines, he indicated, had been distributed to high-risk areas, emphasising that 200 doses of the vaccines had been distributed to the prisons in Navrongo and another 300 for personnel of the security agencies on peace-keeping mission in Bawku.
He, however, indicated that the number of vaccines was inadequate relative to the over one million people in the region and called for more vaccines to be distributed.
Upon arrival, the vaccines were immediately airlifted to the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions for vaccination to begin.
The Minister of Health, Dr Benjamin Kunbour, who has been touring the affected areas, told the media that with the arrival of the vaccines, the situation was under control and advised people not to panic.
Accompanied by Mr Mark Woyongo, the Upper East Regional Minister; Dr John Koku Awoonor-Williams, the Regional Director of Health Services, and other officials of the Regional Health Directorate, Dr Kunbour said, “Our tour of the region has not shown any evidence of people just walking and dying as sections of the media have tried to portray.”
Dr Kunbour said CSM was not a new disease as some people perceived it to be because clinical studies showed it had been with the people for years, adding that the Ministry of Health (MoH) had since November, 2009 been anticipating some aspects of the situation.
He said that explained the speed with which a team of experts from the national and regional levels, with the support of their international agencies, had responded rapidly to reduce the effect of the outbreak.
The health minister gave the assurance that the government would do all it could to ensure that the needed quantity of vaccines were brought in to bring the situation under control.
Dr Awoonor-Williams announced that 94 meningitis cases had so far been recorded in the region as of February 28, 2010, adding that of the 94 cases, 20 of them were confirmed to be meningitis W135. He also confirmed that 13 deaths had been recorded.
According to Dr Awoonor-Williams, the MoH had supplied 100,000 doses of the vaccines for distribution to the nine districts in the Upper East Region.
These vaccines, he indicated, had been distributed to high-risk areas, emphasising that 200 doses of the vaccines had been distributed to the prisons in Navrongo and another 300 for personnel of the security agencies on peace-keeping mission in Bawku.
He, however, indicated that the number of vaccines was inadequate relative to the over one million people in the region and called for more vaccines to be distributed.
Meningitis Vaccines In(March 3, 2010, Back Page)
Vaccines needed to combat the Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) outbreak in the northern part of the country, W315, has arrived in Accra from the World Health Organisation (WHO).Upon arrival yesterday, the vaccines were immediately airlifted to the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions for vaccination to begin.Health Minister, Dr Benjamin Kunbour, who has been touring the affected areas, told the media that with the arrival of the vaccines, the situation was under control and advised people not to panic.Accompanied by Mr Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister; Dr John Koku Awoonor-Williams, Regional Director of Health Services, and other officials of the Regional Health Directorate, Dr Kunbour said, “Our tour of the region has not shown any evidence of people just walking and dying as sections of the media have tried to portray.”Dr Kunbour said CSM was not a new disease as some people perceived it to be because clinical studies showed it had been with the people for years, adding that the Ministry of Health (MoH) had since November, 2009 been anticipating some aspects of the situation.He said that explained the speed with which a team of experts from the national and regional levels, with the support of their international agencies, had responded rapidly to reduce the effect of the outbreak.The health minister gave the assurance that the government would do all it could to ensure that the needed quantity of vaccines were brought in to bring the situation under control.Dr Awoonor-Williams announced that 94 meningitis cases had been recorded in the region as of February 28, 2010, adding that of the 94 cases, 20 of them were confirmed to be meningitis W135. He also confirmed that 13 deaths had been recorded.According to Dr Awoonor-Williams, the MoH had supplied 100,000 doses of the vaccines for distribution to the nine districts in the Upper East Region.These vaccines, he indicated, had been distributed to high-risk areas, explaining that 200 doses of the vaccines had been distributed to the prisons in Navrongo and another 300 for personnel of the security agencies on peace-keeping mission in Bawku.He indicated that the number of vaccines was inadequate relative to the over one million people in the region and called for more vaccines to be distributed.
Tuesday 2 March 2010
UE NDC CONSOLES RAWLINGSES (PAGE 16, MARCH 2, 2010)
Supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper East Region have been empathising with the former first family since the February 14, 2010 fire incident that destroyed property at their Ridge residence.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga, the Regional Youth Organiser of the NDC, Mr Robert Yeli-Oni, described the incident as rather unfortunate and urged the former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, and his family to remain strong in the face of the massive loss of age-old property and family memorabilia.
They were, however, thankful to God that no human life was lost and prayed that the Good Lord would continue to strengthen them and provide them with comfort.
The Regional Youth Organiser said the entire NDC family in the Upper East under the leadership of the Regional Chairman, Alhaji Mumuni Bolnaba, was solidly behind the former First Family in their period of grief and that their prayers were with the founder of the party and his family.
While expressing their sympathy for the former First Family, the Regional Youth Organiser of NDC also debunked assertions by a social commentator and NPP activist, Nana Darkwa, on an Accra-based radio station to the effect that former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry Rawlings intentionally set fire to his own residence, and described the utterance as frivolous and unwarranted.
In a related development, the Regional Youth Wing of the NDC has congratulated the newly appointed ministers of state, especially those from the Upper East Region who were recently sworn into office by the president, Professor John Mills.
Mr Yeli-Oni, in a congratulatory message, expressed the hope that Messrs John Akologu Tia, MP for Talensi, who is now the Minister for Information, and Mr Martin Amidu, a Builsa, who is now the Minister for the Interior, and others would use their political experience, not only to assist the President to achieve the Better Ghana Agenda but also promote the interest and welfare of the youth in the region.
He was also hopeful that parliament would soon endorse the appointment of Mr Mahama Ayariga to enable him to contribute his quota to the development of the country.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga, the Regional Youth Organiser of the NDC, Mr Robert Yeli-Oni, described the incident as rather unfortunate and urged the former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, and his family to remain strong in the face of the massive loss of age-old property and family memorabilia.
They were, however, thankful to God that no human life was lost and prayed that the Good Lord would continue to strengthen them and provide them with comfort.
The Regional Youth Organiser said the entire NDC family in the Upper East under the leadership of the Regional Chairman, Alhaji Mumuni Bolnaba, was solidly behind the former First Family in their period of grief and that their prayers were with the founder of the party and his family.
While expressing their sympathy for the former First Family, the Regional Youth Organiser of NDC also debunked assertions by a social commentator and NPP activist, Nana Darkwa, on an Accra-based radio station to the effect that former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry Rawlings intentionally set fire to his own residence, and described the utterance as frivolous and unwarranted.
In a related development, the Regional Youth Wing of the NDC has congratulated the newly appointed ministers of state, especially those from the Upper East Region who were recently sworn into office by the president, Professor John Mills.
Mr Yeli-Oni, in a congratulatory message, expressed the hope that Messrs John Akologu Tia, MP for Talensi, who is now the Minister for Information, and Mr Martin Amidu, a Builsa, who is now the Minister for the Interior, and others would use their political experience, not only to assist the President to achieve the Better Ghana Agenda but also promote the interest and welfare of the youth in the region.
He was also hopeful that parliament would soon endorse the appointment of Mr Mahama Ayariga to enable him to contribute his quota to the development of the country.
Monday 1 March 2010
USE OIL AND GAS REVENUE TO DEV GHANA (PAGE 20, FEB 26, 2010)
PARTICIPANTS at a forum on petroleum revenue management in the Upper East Region have called on the government to provide for the socio-economic development of the people with revenue from the emerging oil and gas industry.
Speaking at a forum at Bolgatanga, a cross section of the participants listed some of the development challenges of the northern parts of the country as high incidence of poverty, as well as lack of employment for the youth, non-existent of a vibrant market to facilitate economic activities and lack of educational infrastructure.
He said it was about time the government invested the expected revenue to bridge the development gap between northern and southern Ghana.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning organised the forum to collate views from the public on how the expected revenue from the emerging oil and gas industry should be utilised for the benefit of Ghanaians.
The participants, including chiefs, students, civil and public servants, representatives of civil society organisations, among others also called on the government to put in place the needed structures to facilitate the effective use of the expected resources.
An advisor at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Joe Amoako Tuffour, said the emerging oil and gas industry came along with various opportunities, adding that the government was committed to ensure that the expected revenue was properly harnessed for both present and future generations.
He said the decision to hold public fora across the country, formed part of the government’s efforts at collating views from Ghanaians to ensure that everyone benefited from the oil and gas revenue.
The Deputy Regional Minister, Mrs Lucy Awuni earlier in a welcome address, said the government would ensure that revenue from the oil and gas industry was properly harnessed, hence the need for all Ghanaians to take keen interest in the series of regional consultation fora to influence the final decisions that would be arrived at.
Speaking at a forum at Bolgatanga, a cross section of the participants listed some of the development challenges of the northern parts of the country as high incidence of poverty, as well as lack of employment for the youth, non-existent of a vibrant market to facilitate economic activities and lack of educational infrastructure.
He said it was about time the government invested the expected revenue to bridge the development gap between northern and southern Ghana.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning organised the forum to collate views from the public on how the expected revenue from the emerging oil and gas industry should be utilised for the benefit of Ghanaians.
The participants, including chiefs, students, civil and public servants, representatives of civil society organisations, among others also called on the government to put in place the needed structures to facilitate the effective use of the expected resources.
An advisor at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Joe Amoako Tuffour, said the emerging oil and gas industry came along with various opportunities, adding that the government was committed to ensure that the expected revenue was properly harnessed for both present and future generations.
He said the decision to hold public fora across the country, formed part of the government’s efforts at collating views from Ghanaians to ensure that everyone benefited from the oil and gas revenue.
The Deputy Regional Minister, Mrs Lucy Awuni earlier in a welcome address, said the government would ensure that revenue from the oil and gas industry was properly harnessed, hence the need for all Ghanaians to take keen interest in the series of regional consultation fora to influence the final decisions that would be arrived at.
BE GUIDED BY TRUTH AT ALL TIMES — DR KPIKPI (PAGE 20, FEB 26, 2010)
THE Dean of Students at the Navrongo Campus of the University for Development Studies, Dr Walter Kpikpi, has called on people in leadership positions to be guided by the gospel truth to ensure the success of all their undertakings.
Addressing a section of students of the Global Evangelical Students and Associates Ministry (GESAM), Dr Kpikpi urged leaders, irrespective of where they found themselves, to put their hope in God for His blessings.
GESAM is a campus wing of the Global Evangelical Church whose main aim is to preach the word of God to people in the university community and win souls for Christ.
According to Dr Kpikpi, as leaders it was their closeness to God which opened one eye to the human need in order to solve human problems.
He tasked the newly elected 12-member executive to remain steadfast and not waiver in their attempt to accomplish the purpose for which they had been elected.
The outgoing President of GESAM at Navrongo, Mr Felix Madilo, commended the entire membership for their support and urged the incoming executive led by Mr Clifford Woyi to continue to selflessly pursue the preaching of Christ.
The newly elected executive was later inducted into office by Rev. J.A. Bonuedi.
Addressing a section of students of the Global Evangelical Students and Associates Ministry (GESAM), Dr Kpikpi urged leaders, irrespective of where they found themselves, to put their hope in God for His blessings.
GESAM is a campus wing of the Global Evangelical Church whose main aim is to preach the word of God to people in the university community and win souls for Christ.
According to Dr Kpikpi, as leaders it was their closeness to God which opened one eye to the human need in order to solve human problems.
He tasked the newly elected 12-member executive to remain steadfast and not waiver in their attempt to accomplish the purpose for which they had been elected.
The outgoing President of GESAM at Navrongo, Mr Felix Madilo, commended the entire membership for their support and urged the incoming executive led by Mr Clifford Woyi to continue to selflessly pursue the preaching of Christ.
The newly elected executive was later inducted into office by Rev. J.A. Bonuedi.
BONGO ASSEMBLY WARNS CONTRACTORS (PAGE 20, FEB 26, 2010)
THE Bongo District Assembly in the Upper East Region has warned that it will not hesitate to blacklist any contractor who carries out shoddy work for any contract awarded in the district.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Clement Akugre Atia, gave the caution after a tour of some development projects in the district, during which he noticed some shoddy work on a three-unit classroom block under construction at Agomo.
He stressed that the assembly would always ensure that quality work was done on all projects undertaken in the district.
The estimated GH¢50,179.99 building with an office, a store and a four-seater KVIP toilet attached, is being funded by the Community Based Rural Development Programme.
The DCE and his entourage observed that the doors and windows, as well as the roofing of the building, which were yet to be completed, were falling apart although no one had occupied the building yet.
Mr Atia bemoaned the poor quality of work done so far and urged the contractor, Messrs Bobtina Consult Limited, to rectify the defects.
The DCE inspected some ongoing projects, including work on a four-storey office complex of the assembly which is at a standstill, a three-unit classroom block with an office and a KVIP toilet at Atampiisi.
Other projects he inspected include a Community Health Planning Services Compound at Lungu, semi-detached nurses’ quarters at Vea, as well as work on a bungalow for the District Finance Officer at Bongo.
Apart from the project at Agomo, the DCE expressed satisfaction about the work done so far on the other projects and commended the contractor for doing quality work.
Later in an interview, Mr Atia said the assembly was in the past saddled with the problems of inadequate school and health infrastructure.
He said all efforts were being made to ensure that several communities were provided with school and health structures to ease congestion in the classrooms and bring health services to the doorstep of the people.
Mr Atia commended the assembly’s development partners for their continuous support for the district.
While calling for more support, he also appealed to the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund to release funds on time to enable the assembly to execute more development projects.
The District Director of Education, Mr Francis Agyeere, and the District Director of Health Services, Madam Rofina Asuru, who accompanied the DCE on the tour, commended the government for providing the sectors with the infrastructure, which would go a long way to mitigate the problems of education and healthcare delivery.
Mr Agyeere disclosed that currently, there were 42 kindergartens in the district which did not have permanent classrooms, while two primary schools were operating under trees.
He added that some schools were also congested and therefore appealed to the assembly to provide more classrooms to ameliorate the situation.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Clement Akugre Atia, gave the caution after a tour of some development projects in the district, during which he noticed some shoddy work on a three-unit classroom block under construction at Agomo.
He stressed that the assembly would always ensure that quality work was done on all projects undertaken in the district.
The estimated GH¢50,179.99 building with an office, a store and a four-seater KVIP toilet attached, is being funded by the Community Based Rural Development Programme.
The DCE and his entourage observed that the doors and windows, as well as the roofing of the building, which were yet to be completed, were falling apart although no one had occupied the building yet.
Mr Atia bemoaned the poor quality of work done so far and urged the contractor, Messrs Bobtina Consult Limited, to rectify the defects.
The DCE inspected some ongoing projects, including work on a four-storey office complex of the assembly which is at a standstill, a three-unit classroom block with an office and a KVIP toilet at Atampiisi.
Other projects he inspected include a Community Health Planning Services Compound at Lungu, semi-detached nurses’ quarters at Vea, as well as work on a bungalow for the District Finance Officer at Bongo.
Apart from the project at Agomo, the DCE expressed satisfaction about the work done so far on the other projects and commended the contractor for doing quality work.
Later in an interview, Mr Atia said the assembly was in the past saddled with the problems of inadequate school and health infrastructure.
He said all efforts were being made to ensure that several communities were provided with school and health structures to ease congestion in the classrooms and bring health services to the doorstep of the people.
Mr Atia commended the assembly’s development partners for their continuous support for the district.
While calling for more support, he also appealed to the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund to release funds on time to enable the assembly to execute more development projects.
The District Director of Education, Mr Francis Agyeere, and the District Director of Health Services, Madam Rofina Asuru, who accompanied the DCE on the tour, commended the government for providing the sectors with the infrastructure, which would go a long way to mitigate the problems of education and healthcare delivery.
Mr Agyeere disclosed that currently, there were 42 kindergartens in the district which did not have permanent classrooms, while two primary schools were operating under trees.
He added that some schools were also congested and therefore appealed to the assembly to provide more classrooms to ameliorate the situation.
HEADMASTER OF BAWKU SHS YEARNS FOR PEACE (PAGE 20, FEB 26, 2010)
THE Headmaster of Bawku Senior High School (SHS), Mr Bismarck Simon Kpuli, has stated that despite the intermittent insecurity in the municipality, the school is in a position to perform academically.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Bawku after a parent-teacher association (PTA) meeting, the headmaster said the school authorities were determined to deliver on its mandate to the stakeholders in spite of the numerous challenges it was saddled with.
From its humble beginning as Azoka Secondary School, Bawku SHS was established in 1963.
With an initial enrolment of less than 100, the school’s current student population stands at 1,784 comprising 1,346 boys and 438 girls.
Although it is against the school’s policy of admitting at least a third of the intake as day students, the entire 1,784 students are in the boarding house.
According to the headmaster, the decision to admit all the students into the boarding house was taken in order to provide them with an uninterrupted learning opportunity in view of the protracted ethnic conflict that had assumed immeasurable dimensions within the municipality in recent times.
He said in recent times, the government and other stakeholders had made bold attempts to improve infrastructure in the school, as evident in the massive rehabilitation works on the physical infrastructure ranging from classroom blocks, through dormitories and staff bungalows to the water system.
Mr Kpuli said that notwithstanding, the institution still faced some serious challenges, which were a threat to the smooth running of the school.
He stated that the 1,784 students in the boarding house were living under difficult conditions.
The problems include perennial water shortage as the school’s only mechanised borehole broke down shortly after installation and all attempts to have it replaced had failed.
The headmaster said as a result, the school had to purchase water weekly for the school’s kitchen to prepare meals for the students.
Other pressing challenges, he said, were the high utility bills, especially water and electricity, stressing that the problems would be more pronounced next year when about 600 new students would be admitted to bring the total enrolment to about 2,400.
“If the problems persist, then the school would be forced to cut down enrolment drastically or at best make the fresh students day students,” Mr Kpuli said.
He said other areas of concern which needed immediate attention was the inadequate staff accommodation.
Mr Kpuli said currently, only 51 bungalows and quarters were available for the teaching staff of 90, as well as a sizeable number of non-teaching staff who performed essential services.
Other challenges are lack of transport to carry out administrative duties as the only pick-up vehicle available to the administration, which was donated by the PTA, is 20 years old. The vehicle breaks down frequently.
Mr Kpuli also cited lack of Internet connectivity for the computer laboratory, lack of equipment for the schools dispensary and encroachment on school lands as other major problems confronting the institution.
Mr Kpuli said despite those challenges, the academic profile of the school was commendable.
He stressed that monitoring and supervision of the teaching and learning process had been stepped up over the past two years leading to a remarkable improvement in student output.
According to the headmaster, the academic improvement programme instituted and supported by the school’s PTA had boosted the academic performance of the students greatly.
Figures available indicate that a large number of the students qualified for admission to tertiary institutions last year as compared to previous years.
Mr Kpuli said out of the total of 573 candidates presented for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, 236 qualified for admission to tertiary institutions as compared to 47 students who qualified the previous year.
“From a very humble beginning, the school is poised to take its rightful place among the academic giants in the region and the nation as a whole,” the headmaster said.
Touching on the impact of the Bawku conflict on the school, Mr Kpuli said the protracted conflict within the municipality had affected the efforts of both staff and students in meeting the set goals of the school.
He said at least 12 competent staff left the school last year for security reasons but through hard work, the school’s management did well to get replacement for some of them.
He said “academic work was also sacrificed because the staff always lived in constant fear.”
One can say that but for the general state of insecurity created by the conflict, academic results for the past three years would have been better.
Thank God there is now some hope as peace is returning to the municipality.
Mr Kpuli commended the outgoing executive of the PTA under the leadership of Alhaji Azangbeogo Yakubu, for their support and co-operation.
He expressed the hope that the new leadership of the PTA under the chairmanship of Mr Anthony Akudugu would see the school chalking up more successes as it headed towards its 50th anniversary celebration in 2013.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Bawku after a parent-teacher association (PTA) meeting, the headmaster said the school authorities were determined to deliver on its mandate to the stakeholders in spite of the numerous challenges it was saddled with.
From its humble beginning as Azoka Secondary School, Bawku SHS was established in 1963.
With an initial enrolment of less than 100, the school’s current student population stands at 1,784 comprising 1,346 boys and 438 girls.
Although it is against the school’s policy of admitting at least a third of the intake as day students, the entire 1,784 students are in the boarding house.
According to the headmaster, the decision to admit all the students into the boarding house was taken in order to provide them with an uninterrupted learning opportunity in view of the protracted ethnic conflict that had assumed immeasurable dimensions within the municipality in recent times.
He said in recent times, the government and other stakeholders had made bold attempts to improve infrastructure in the school, as evident in the massive rehabilitation works on the physical infrastructure ranging from classroom blocks, through dormitories and staff bungalows to the water system.
Mr Kpuli said that notwithstanding, the institution still faced some serious challenges, which were a threat to the smooth running of the school.
He stated that the 1,784 students in the boarding house were living under difficult conditions.
The problems include perennial water shortage as the school’s only mechanised borehole broke down shortly after installation and all attempts to have it replaced had failed.
The headmaster said as a result, the school had to purchase water weekly for the school’s kitchen to prepare meals for the students.
Other pressing challenges, he said, were the high utility bills, especially water and electricity, stressing that the problems would be more pronounced next year when about 600 new students would be admitted to bring the total enrolment to about 2,400.
“If the problems persist, then the school would be forced to cut down enrolment drastically or at best make the fresh students day students,” Mr Kpuli said.
He said other areas of concern which needed immediate attention was the inadequate staff accommodation.
Mr Kpuli said currently, only 51 bungalows and quarters were available for the teaching staff of 90, as well as a sizeable number of non-teaching staff who performed essential services.
Other challenges are lack of transport to carry out administrative duties as the only pick-up vehicle available to the administration, which was donated by the PTA, is 20 years old. The vehicle breaks down frequently.
Mr Kpuli also cited lack of Internet connectivity for the computer laboratory, lack of equipment for the schools dispensary and encroachment on school lands as other major problems confronting the institution.
Mr Kpuli said despite those challenges, the academic profile of the school was commendable.
He stressed that monitoring and supervision of the teaching and learning process had been stepped up over the past two years leading to a remarkable improvement in student output.
According to the headmaster, the academic improvement programme instituted and supported by the school’s PTA had boosted the academic performance of the students greatly.
Figures available indicate that a large number of the students qualified for admission to tertiary institutions last year as compared to previous years.
Mr Kpuli said out of the total of 573 candidates presented for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, 236 qualified for admission to tertiary institutions as compared to 47 students who qualified the previous year.
“From a very humble beginning, the school is poised to take its rightful place among the academic giants in the region and the nation as a whole,” the headmaster said.
Touching on the impact of the Bawku conflict on the school, Mr Kpuli said the protracted conflict within the municipality had affected the efforts of both staff and students in meeting the set goals of the school.
He said at least 12 competent staff left the school last year for security reasons but through hard work, the school’s management did well to get replacement for some of them.
He said “academic work was also sacrificed because the staff always lived in constant fear.”
One can say that but for the general state of insecurity created by the conflict, academic results for the past three years would have been better.
Thank God there is now some hope as peace is returning to the municipality.
Mr Kpuli commended the outgoing executive of the PTA under the leadership of Alhaji Azangbeogo Yakubu, for their support and co-operation.
He expressed the hope that the new leadership of the PTA under the chairmanship of Mr Anthony Akudugu would see the school chalking up more successes as it headed towards its 50th anniversary celebration in 2013.
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