THE presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama, has indicated that he is the best material among the eight presidential candidates contesting the December 7 election.
According him, after Dr Kwame Nkrumah had laid the foundation for the development of the country in the first 50 years of its independence, it was he (Dr Mahama) who possessed the acumen to continue from where Ghana's first President left off.
"After the December 7 election, Ghana will be on the threshold of another 50-year journey. The NPP and NDC are part of the old; the new regime is for the PNC, and just as Nkrumah laid the foundation for the first 50 years, the PNC will usher in a new nation full of hope and promise where all Ghanaians will be treated equally and without any marginalisation," he said.
Dr Mahama was addressing an Upper East Regional rally of the PNC at the Jubilee Park in Bolgatanga after a campaign tour of the region. The tour saw him visiting some constituencies, including the "overseas" areas.
The supporters of the PNC, mostly women clad in party colours, sang and danced to specially composed party songs, while some youth displayed their motor riding skills on the streets.
According to some observers, the crowd that patronised the PNC regional rally was modest, compared to that marshalled by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in their recent rallies in the area. However, they intimated it was bigger than that of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) held at the same venue.
Some of the party’s supporters expressed the hope that the party would spring a surprise in the election by winning the presidential slot, while others were pessimistic.
Some of the supporters told the Daily Graphic that they would vote for the sitting MP and rather vote for another presidential candidate in the race.
According to some political party observers, the sitting Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Mr David Apasera, faced a stiff challenge from the NDC candidate, Mr Akolbire Opam-Brown, and the NPP’s Mercy Alima Musah.
The other sitting PNC MP in the Upper East Region, Mr John Akparibo Ndebugre (Zebilla), is contesting the seat as an independent candidate following disagreement with the leadership of the party. Meanwhile, the PNC is not fielding any candidate in that constituency.
Dr Mahama, who is contesting the elections for the fourth time as the flag bearer of the PNC, polled 54,185 votes, representing 22.46 per cent of the 241,239 votes cast in the Upper East Region in the 2000 elections. However, the figure dropped to 42, 460 votes, representing 12.7 per cent of the 347,514 votes cast in the region in the 2004 elections.
These statistics notwithstanding, Dr Mahama told the charged crowd that now was his time, emphasising that both the NPP and the NDC had had their turn in directing the affairs of this nation, stressing, "It is my turn."
He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to give him their mandate for him to showcase what he had for the nation.
Touching on the "new regime" the PNC was offering Ghanaians, he said he would promote and encourage the study of science, mathematics and ICT to propel the socio-economic development of the country.
He also promised every Ghanaian three square meals a day and a roof over their heads, stressing that every school age child would get one full piece of chicken a day.
In addition, the PNC flag bearer said he would promote health care which would lead to the increase in the life expectancy of Ghanaians from the current average of 59 years to 75 years.
Dr Mahama said Ghana had a choice to vote back the NDC, maintain the NPP or vote for him and the PNC to usher in a new Ghana "where every Ghanaian will be proud to be called a Ghanaian".
The incumbent MP, Mr Apasera, told the crowd that current interventions such as the National Health Insurance Scheme and the GETFund were all the brain child of the PNC.
He highlighted his achievements as MP and urged the people to renew his mandate to represent them in Parliament.
Dr Mahama was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Comfort Mahama; Hajia Hajara Ali, the National Women's Organiser, and a personal assistant, Mr Philip Abban.
The Upper East Regional Chairman of the PNC, Alhaji Baba Mohamed, and other regional executives of the party also addressed the crowd.
Some aspiring MPs, including Ex-Sergeant Peter Tasiri, who is contesting the Binduri Constituency, and Mr Apasera for Bolgatanga, were officially introduced.
Friday, 28 November 2008
PEACEFUL ELECTIONS WILL BOOST GHANA'S IMAGE — ANSAH-KOI (Daily Graphic, Friday November 28,2008. PAGE 15)
A LECTURER with the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr Kumi Ansah Koi, has said Ghana stands to gain a lot if she goes through peaceful and violence-free elections in December, this year.
Presenting a paper on “The Elections and National Security—Opportunities and Challenges”, Dr Ansah-Koi said Ghana’s present attractiveness to the international business community was attributable to the democratic and peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the country.
He therefore called on Ghanaians to preserve that peace, stressing that a successful outcome of the elections in December would further boost Ghana’s image as the beacon of hope in Africa.
Dr Ansah-Koi expressed this view in Bolgatanga during the fourth workshop by the National Peace Council (NPC) on “Election Security Management, Harnessing Resources of Key Actors for Peaceful Election”.
Dr Ansah-Koi called on the electorate to reject all politicians who preach or resort to insults on the campaign platforms, in order to send a strong signal to the politicians that they are committed to peace.
He said Ghana had provided an inspirational leadership role in Africa, having held four successful elections since it embarked on the Fourth Republic in 1992, and the rest of the world was looking to her.
The overall objective of the workshop was to build trust and confidence among the principal actors in the peace and security spheres of the state.
About 40 participants made up of chiefs and opinion leaders, youth associations, religious bodies, civil society organisations, the media and security agencies from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions attended the two-day workshop.
Topics discussed included the role of the media in peaceful elections and inter-agency collaboration for peaceful elections.
Dr Ansah-Koi reiterated the fact that elections are not a “do or die affair”, emphasising that if there is violence it is the ordinary man on the street that suffers.
He pointed out that Ghana is the only country for Ghanaians and appealed to both losers and winners to graciously accept the outcome of the polls to preserve the peace.
A member of the NPC, Maulvi Wahab Adam, said the council was committed to highlighting the need for Ghanaians to live at peace through its numerous activities and interventions to enhance the development of the nation.
He encouraged Ghanaians to travel round the nation in order to identify and deal with the negative perceptions that they might have against one another.
Presenting a paper on “The Elections and National Security—Opportunities and Challenges”, Dr Ansah-Koi said Ghana’s present attractiveness to the international business community was attributable to the democratic and peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the country.
He therefore called on Ghanaians to preserve that peace, stressing that a successful outcome of the elections in December would further boost Ghana’s image as the beacon of hope in Africa.
Dr Ansah-Koi expressed this view in Bolgatanga during the fourth workshop by the National Peace Council (NPC) on “Election Security Management, Harnessing Resources of Key Actors for Peaceful Election”.
Dr Ansah-Koi called on the electorate to reject all politicians who preach or resort to insults on the campaign platforms, in order to send a strong signal to the politicians that they are committed to peace.
He said Ghana had provided an inspirational leadership role in Africa, having held four successful elections since it embarked on the Fourth Republic in 1992, and the rest of the world was looking to her.
The overall objective of the workshop was to build trust and confidence among the principal actors in the peace and security spheres of the state.
About 40 participants made up of chiefs and opinion leaders, youth associations, religious bodies, civil society organisations, the media and security agencies from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions attended the two-day workshop.
Topics discussed included the role of the media in peaceful elections and inter-agency collaboration for peaceful elections.
Dr Ansah-Koi reiterated the fact that elections are not a “do or die affair”, emphasising that if there is violence it is the ordinary man on the street that suffers.
He pointed out that Ghana is the only country for Ghanaians and appealed to both losers and winners to graciously accept the outcome of the polls to preserve the peace.
A member of the NPC, Maulvi Wahab Adam, said the council was committed to highlighting the need for Ghanaians to live at peace through its numerous activities and interventions to enhance the development of the nation.
He encouraged Ghanaians to travel round the nation in order to identify and deal with the negative perceptions that they might have against one another.
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES PLEDGE PEACEFUL POLLS (Daily Graphic, Wednesday November 26, 2008. PAGE 17)
Four out of the six persons contesting for the Bolgatanga Central Parliamentary seat have pledged their commitment to ensure a peaceful and violence-free election come December 7, 2008.
The four, Madam Evelyn Lamisi Nabila of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Madam Mercy Alima Musah of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), as well as Mr Akolbire Opam-Brown of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mr Robert A. Abiiro of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), gave the assurance at a parliamentary debate held in Bolgatanga.
One after the other, they called on the youth not to allow themselves to be used by selfish politicians to foment trouble.
While calling on the youth especially to comport themselves and resist acts that could lead to fighting on polling day, they also pledged to accept the results in good faith.
The forum was organised by a Tamale-based non-governmental organisation, Youth Action on Reproduction Order (YARO), with support from the British Council, with the view to offering the electorate the opportunity to assess the candidates so they could make informed decisions.
The aspirants who were absent were the incumbent MP, Mr David Apasera of the People’s National Convention (PNC) and Mr Awuni Atiah Solomon of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP).
The Executive Director of YARO, Mr Haji Benin , said similar forums had been held in Wa, the Upper West regional capital, adding that another one would be organised for aspirants in the Tamale South Constituency to widen the frontiers of democracy in Ghana.
The debate which was moderated by Messrs Daud Abang Gos of the National Youth Council and J.J. Panin, a counsellor, saw the aspirants answering questions on education, migration, health care, the economy and employment as well as agriculture.
In her presentation, Madam Evelyn Lamisi Nabila said within the first 100 days of her party's administration, the defunct Zuarungu Meat Factory and the rice sector would be revamped to provide jobs for the youth.
This and many other policies to be introduced by her party, she hoped, would curb the regular migration of the youth to the southern parts of the country to seek non-existent jobs.
For his part, the NDC parliamentary candidate, Mr Akolbire Opam-Brown said an NDC government would expand agriculture and renovate and reconstruct the Vea dam and the canals to facilitate irrigation for farming purposes.
According to him, his government will support farmers with inputs and make the price of fertilisers very affordable to enable the youth go into farming.
He also pledged his government's commitment to assist people especially the youth and women with microfinance loans to enable them expand their businesses.
Madam Alima Musah, for her part, mentioned the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) embarked on by the NPP government and said when elected to power the government would expand the programme to offer more jobs for the youth.
Mr Robert Abiiro said he would focus on encouraging people to go into agriculture to generate employment.
On health, the NDC candidate said his government when elected into power would upgrade the Tamale Teaching Hospital and ensure that the medical school attached to the University for Development Studies (UDS) becomes functional to train more doctors.
These doctors, he explained, would be sponsored and later bonded to serve the people. "As MP, I will encourage the municipal assembly to sponsor more people in nursing and bond them to serve the people”, he added.
Mr Abiiro, for his part, said he would pursue the building of more health centres and ensure that accommodation and other incentives were provided for doctors and nurses to enable them stay in the municipality and work.
The NPP candidate said she would try and encourage doctors posted to the municipality to stay and work in the interest of the people.
Madam Nabila, for her part, said her party would sponsor more people into medical school and also provide them with the necessary incentives to help them deliver good care.
The four, Madam Evelyn Lamisi Nabila of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Madam Mercy Alima Musah of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), as well as Mr Akolbire Opam-Brown of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mr Robert A. Abiiro of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), gave the assurance at a parliamentary debate held in Bolgatanga.
One after the other, they called on the youth not to allow themselves to be used by selfish politicians to foment trouble.
While calling on the youth especially to comport themselves and resist acts that could lead to fighting on polling day, they also pledged to accept the results in good faith.
The forum was organised by a Tamale-based non-governmental organisation, Youth Action on Reproduction Order (YARO), with support from the British Council, with the view to offering the electorate the opportunity to assess the candidates so they could make informed decisions.
The aspirants who were absent were the incumbent MP, Mr David Apasera of the People’s National Convention (PNC) and Mr Awuni Atiah Solomon of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP).
The Executive Director of YARO, Mr Haji Benin , said similar forums had been held in Wa, the Upper West regional capital, adding that another one would be organised for aspirants in the Tamale South Constituency to widen the frontiers of democracy in Ghana.
The debate which was moderated by Messrs Daud Abang Gos of the National Youth Council and J.J. Panin, a counsellor, saw the aspirants answering questions on education, migration, health care, the economy and employment as well as agriculture.
In her presentation, Madam Evelyn Lamisi Nabila said within the first 100 days of her party's administration, the defunct Zuarungu Meat Factory and the rice sector would be revamped to provide jobs for the youth.
This and many other policies to be introduced by her party, she hoped, would curb the regular migration of the youth to the southern parts of the country to seek non-existent jobs.
For his part, the NDC parliamentary candidate, Mr Akolbire Opam-Brown said an NDC government would expand agriculture and renovate and reconstruct the Vea dam and the canals to facilitate irrigation for farming purposes.
According to him, his government will support farmers with inputs and make the price of fertilisers very affordable to enable the youth go into farming.
He also pledged his government's commitment to assist people especially the youth and women with microfinance loans to enable them expand their businesses.
Madam Alima Musah, for her part, mentioned the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) embarked on by the NPP government and said when elected to power the government would expand the programme to offer more jobs for the youth.
Mr Robert Abiiro said he would focus on encouraging people to go into agriculture to generate employment.
On health, the NDC candidate said his government when elected into power would upgrade the Tamale Teaching Hospital and ensure that the medical school attached to the University for Development Studies (UDS) becomes functional to train more doctors.
These doctors, he explained, would be sponsored and later bonded to serve the people. "As MP, I will encourage the municipal assembly to sponsor more people in nursing and bond them to serve the people”, he added.
Mr Abiiro, for his part, said he would pursue the building of more health centres and ensure that accommodation and other incentives were provided for doctors and nurses to enable them stay in the municipality and work.
The NPP candidate said she would try and encourage doctors posted to the municipality to stay and work in the interest of the people.
Madam Nabila, for her part, said her party would sponsor more people into medical school and also provide them with the necessary incentives to help them deliver good care.
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
ASSEMBLIES URGED TO BUY SHARES FROM TOMATO FACTORY (Daily Graphic Tuesday November 25, 2008. PAGE 20)
THE Upper East Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Mr Roy Ayariga, has challenged municipal and district assemblies in the region to pool their resources to buy shares in the Northern Star Tomato Factory to boost tomato farming in the region.
He stated that becoming strategic investors and co-owners would put the assemblies in a better stead of generating more revenue.
According to the Regional MoFA Director, the Northern Star Tomato Factory was presently not operating at full capacity and for that matter, the Ministry of Trade, and Industry was scouting for a strategic investor.
Mr Ayariga said the suggestion had become imperative because as of now MoFA could not assure farmers whether the factory would purchase their produce or not.
He was addressing this year's Regional Farmers Day celebration at Sandema in the Builsa District.
"As of now, farmers are busily nursing and transplanting their tomatoes, yet no concrete assurance or contract exists between them and the factory. We have to avoid the situation where farmers will produce without a ready market, especially from the factory," he said.
Mr Ayariga, therefore, pleaded with the Regional Co-ordinating Council to take up the issue with the municipal and district assemblies and approach the Ministry of Trade and Industry with a proposal highlighting sthe agricultural potential of the Upper East Region.
He stated that MoFA had received a letter from a company that wanted to set up a factory to extract juice from baobab fruits to make a drink, adding that the demand called for the propagation of more baobab trees as they were getting extinct in some areas.
The Regional MoFA Director emphasised the importance of shea nut which had become an international commodity and called on researchers to work on the plantation approach of propagating and growing the shea tree.
Mr Ayariga noted that it was a fact that the revenue from one acre of mango was more than one acre of cocoa, asking, "If Burkina Faso is exporting mangoes, why can't we do same in the Upper East Region?"
He said the biggest problem hindering tree crop production in the region was the land tenure system, where many landowners were reluctant to release land for tree crops.
Mr Ayariga, therefore, asked the Northern Development Authority to spend money in acquiring land with the payment of compensation to landowners.
Those lands, he explained, could be made available to investors for any agricultural or industrial venture.
While commending the farmers in the region for their hard work, Mr Ayariga assured them of MoFA's support at all times to boost their yields.
He stated that becoming strategic investors and co-owners would put the assemblies in a better stead of generating more revenue.
According to the Regional MoFA Director, the Northern Star Tomato Factory was presently not operating at full capacity and for that matter, the Ministry of Trade, and Industry was scouting for a strategic investor.
Mr Ayariga said the suggestion had become imperative because as of now MoFA could not assure farmers whether the factory would purchase their produce or not.
He was addressing this year's Regional Farmers Day celebration at Sandema in the Builsa District.
"As of now, farmers are busily nursing and transplanting their tomatoes, yet no concrete assurance or contract exists between them and the factory. We have to avoid the situation where farmers will produce without a ready market, especially from the factory," he said.
Mr Ayariga, therefore, pleaded with the Regional Co-ordinating Council to take up the issue with the municipal and district assemblies and approach the Ministry of Trade and Industry with a proposal highlighting sthe agricultural potential of the Upper East Region.
He stated that MoFA had received a letter from a company that wanted to set up a factory to extract juice from baobab fruits to make a drink, adding that the demand called for the propagation of more baobab trees as they were getting extinct in some areas.
The Regional MoFA Director emphasised the importance of shea nut which had become an international commodity and called on researchers to work on the plantation approach of propagating and growing the shea tree.
Mr Ayariga noted that it was a fact that the revenue from one acre of mango was more than one acre of cocoa, asking, "If Burkina Faso is exporting mangoes, why can't we do same in the Upper East Region?"
He said the biggest problem hindering tree crop production in the region was the land tenure system, where many landowners were reluctant to release land for tree crops.
Mr Ayariga, therefore, asked the Northern Development Authority to spend money in acquiring land with the payment of compensation to landowners.
Those lands, he explained, could be made available to investors for any agricultural or industrial venture.
While commending the farmers in the region for their hard work, Mr Ayariga assured them of MoFA's support at all times to boost their yields.
POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE IN UPPER EAST CORDIAL (Dialy Graphic, Tuesday November 25, 2008, PAGE 15)
The leading political parties in this year’s presidential and parliamentary elections are criss-crossing each other in the Upper East Region, trading ideas as to who will win the hearts and minds of the voting population in the region.
As election day draws nearer, three out of the seven political parties and the independent candidate contesting the presidential elections have over the past 14 days stormed the region to propagate their messages.
Dr Edward Mahama, Presidential Candidate of the People’s National Convention, (PNC), and his Vice, Madam Petra Amegashie; Professor John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the New Patriotic Party’s flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo have all been touring constituencies in the region to canvass for votes.
Since the second-phase of the Institute of Economic Affairs debate in Tamale, political activities in the region have peaked and the region is full of excitement over political activities.
Dr Edward Mahama was first to arrive from Tamale a day after the debate and his campaign team headed for the Chiana-Paga, Bongo and Bolgatanga constituencies to address various fora .
He also went on some radio stations in the regional capital to propagate his campaign message.
Just as Dr Mahama rounded off his campaign, NDC’s Prof. Mills, set the regional capital agog from last week Saturday, November 15 to Thursday, November 20, 2008.
His tour took him to the Bolgatanga, Bongo, Tongo, Chiana-Paga, Navrongo, Pusiga, Bawku Central, Binduri, Garu Tempane and Zebilla constituencies.
Indeed, the trip to the last five constituencies was the very first in four months. It was made possible after the security agencies gave the green light for the resumption of political activities following months of protracted tribal conflicts.
Just as the NDC rounded off its activities, the NPP presidential candidate zoomed in from the Upper West Region, together with his running mate, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia and their campaign also took thme to the Bawku areas. This was followed by a mammoth rally in the regional capital.
Even before Nana Akufo-Addo rounded off his activities, the former President, Flight Lt. J.J. Rawlings, zoomed in from the Upper West Region to canvass for votes. At a point, there were apprehensions among the electorate that the security situation in the region would be disturbed by the presence of Mr Rawlings and Nana Akufo-Addo around the same time, but thankfully their schedules were well managed such that at no point in time was there a clash.
One sight that greeted the electorate in all these electioneering was the long convoys of vehicles that characterised these visits. While Dr Edward Mahama’s campaign trail boasted of less than five four wheel drives and double cabin pickups, the NDC had something in the range of 10 vehicles. The NPP on the other hand had the longest convoy of between 15 and 20 4 X 4 vehicles.
One thing that came to the notice of this reporter was that while vehicles of the PNC and NDC were fully occupied with some passengers virtually squeezing themselves in, some of the vehicles those in the NPP convoycarried few passengers.
In all these, journalists and security personnel bore the brunt of the gruelling nature of the trips some of which were long distances. These persons leave their homes early in the mornings and return late at night. Accompanying these politicians can be very challenging; while these politicians stock their vehicles with beverages and snacks the journalists and security personnel accompanying the entourage are left to their fate and often skip meals throughout the day.
In addition, while the politicians rode in strong vehicles fitted with air conditioners, security personnel who are to protect these politicians are rather assigned to vehicles that can not even boost of air-conditioners and are therefore exposed to tonnes of dust generated by the moving cars.
It is no surprise that neat uniforms worn by these security personnel by the start of the day turn into brown attire by the end of the day. Perhaps, the time has come for us as a nation to provide for the safety and comfort of the men who protect the politicians.
While some of the parties make it a point to return to base early enough and provide meals for all including the security personnel that accompanied them as a sign of appreciation, other political parties just do not even offer water as a way of expressing their thanks for whatever services might have been rendered.
Roads in communities and villages that have not seen long fleets of vehicles running on them for a long time soon become alive and inhabitants watch in excitement as these vehicles and their occupants, the politicians’ move to and fro to canvass for votes.
As election day draws nearer, three out of the seven political parties and the independent candidate contesting the presidential elections have over the past 14 days stormed the region to propagate their messages.
Dr Edward Mahama, Presidential Candidate of the People’s National Convention, (PNC), and his Vice, Madam Petra Amegashie; Professor John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the New Patriotic Party’s flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo have all been touring constituencies in the region to canvass for votes.
Since the second-phase of the Institute of Economic Affairs debate in Tamale, political activities in the region have peaked and the region is full of excitement over political activities.
Dr Edward Mahama was first to arrive from Tamale a day after the debate and his campaign team headed for the Chiana-Paga, Bongo and Bolgatanga constituencies to address various fora .
He also went on some radio stations in the regional capital to propagate his campaign message.
Just as Dr Mahama rounded off his campaign, NDC’s Prof. Mills, set the regional capital agog from last week Saturday, November 15 to Thursday, November 20, 2008.
His tour took him to the Bolgatanga, Bongo, Tongo, Chiana-Paga, Navrongo, Pusiga, Bawku Central, Binduri, Garu Tempane and Zebilla constituencies.
Indeed, the trip to the last five constituencies was the very first in four months. It was made possible after the security agencies gave the green light for the resumption of political activities following months of protracted tribal conflicts.
Just as the NDC rounded off its activities, the NPP presidential candidate zoomed in from the Upper West Region, together with his running mate, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia and their campaign also took thme to the Bawku areas. This was followed by a mammoth rally in the regional capital.
Even before Nana Akufo-Addo rounded off his activities, the former President, Flight Lt. J.J. Rawlings, zoomed in from the Upper West Region to canvass for votes. At a point, there were apprehensions among the electorate that the security situation in the region would be disturbed by the presence of Mr Rawlings and Nana Akufo-Addo around the same time, but thankfully their schedules were well managed such that at no point in time was there a clash.
One sight that greeted the electorate in all these electioneering was the long convoys of vehicles that characterised these visits. While Dr Edward Mahama’s campaign trail boasted of less than five four wheel drives and double cabin pickups, the NDC had something in the range of 10 vehicles. The NPP on the other hand had the longest convoy of between 15 and 20 4 X 4 vehicles.
One thing that came to the notice of this reporter was that while vehicles of the PNC and NDC were fully occupied with some passengers virtually squeezing themselves in, some of the vehicles those in the NPP convoycarried few passengers.
In all these, journalists and security personnel bore the brunt of the gruelling nature of the trips some of which were long distances. These persons leave their homes early in the mornings and return late at night. Accompanying these politicians can be very challenging; while these politicians stock their vehicles with beverages and snacks the journalists and security personnel accompanying the entourage are left to their fate and often skip meals throughout the day.
In addition, while the politicians rode in strong vehicles fitted with air conditioners, security personnel who are to protect these politicians are rather assigned to vehicles that can not even boost of air-conditioners and are therefore exposed to tonnes of dust generated by the moving cars.
It is no surprise that neat uniforms worn by these security personnel by the start of the day turn into brown attire by the end of the day. Perhaps, the time has come for us as a nation to provide for the safety and comfort of the men who protect the politicians.
While some of the parties make it a point to return to base early enough and provide meals for all including the security personnel that accompanied them as a sign of appreciation, other political parties just do not even offer water as a way of expressing their thanks for whatever services might have been rendered.
Roads in communities and villages that have not seen long fleets of vehicles running on them for a long time soon become alive and inhabitants watch in excitement as these vehicles and their occupants, the politicians’ move to and fro to canvass for votes.
Sunday, 23 November 2008
IMPATIENCE, MAJOR CAUSE OF ROAD ACCIDENTS IN UE (Daily Graphic, Monday, November 24,2008. PAGE 40)
THE Upper East Regional Licensing Officer, Mr Jacob Abegyah, has identified impatience on the part of road users and the lack of knowledge of road signs as the major causes of road accidents in the region.
Speaking at an educational forum for drivers in Bolgatanga, Mr Abegyah bemoaned the spate of road accidents in the region.
He, therefore, appealed to motorists to pay attention to all educational programmes aimed at reducing road accidents.
The Regional Road Safety Committee organised the forum on the theme: "Ensuring a crash free Election 2008" as part of the road safety campaign week.
Available statistics indicate that from January to November 15, this year, the region recorded 62 accidents involving 81 vehicles.
As many as 27 people were reported dead in the accidents while 53 others sustained various degrees of injury.
Mr Abegyah urged the various transport unions to organise regular training courses on road signs and traffic regulations for their members to minimise the carnage on the roads.
The Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mahama Hamidu, who is also the Chairman of the Regional Road Safety Committee, said about 80 per cent of accidents were caused by the human factor.
According to him, failure of drivers to heed warning signals and lack of maintenance of vehicles had led to loss of lives.
DCOP Hamidu advised drivers to avoid the drinking of alcoholic beverages and speeding in order to prevent accidents.
He also cautioned drivers to rest after
every four hours of driving to refreshen them up and put them in the right frame of mind to continue their journey.
"If you do not have sound mind and you sit behind the steering wheel, you are a danger to society," DCOP Hamidu said.
According to the Regional Police Commander, a single mistake by a doctor could lead to the death of one person, but a mistake on the part of a driver, could lead to the death of more than one person.
He stated that “it is insensible for the nation to lose its human resources trained at high cost through road accidents” and therefore, cautioned drivers to take their profession seriously to avoid deaths on the roads.
The Regional Road Safety Co-ordinator, Mr Alex Ayata, said so much resources were used by the state to treat accident victims so there was the need for drivers to acquaint themselves with the regulations concerning their profession to prevent road accidents.
The Deputy Commander of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seth Tay, noted that accidents brought economic hardships to the nation.
He stated that many accidents occurred during general election and Christmas periods due to indiscipline on the parts of drivers.
ASP Tay warned that the police were ready to deal with all cases involving violation of road traffic regulations to ensure incident-free polls and Christmas.
.
Speaking at an educational forum for drivers in Bolgatanga, Mr Abegyah bemoaned the spate of road accidents in the region.
He, therefore, appealed to motorists to pay attention to all educational programmes aimed at reducing road accidents.
The Regional Road Safety Committee organised the forum on the theme: "Ensuring a crash free Election 2008" as part of the road safety campaign week.
Available statistics indicate that from January to November 15, this year, the region recorded 62 accidents involving 81 vehicles.
As many as 27 people were reported dead in the accidents while 53 others sustained various degrees of injury.
Mr Abegyah urged the various transport unions to organise regular training courses on road signs and traffic regulations for their members to minimise the carnage on the roads.
The Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mahama Hamidu, who is also the Chairman of the Regional Road Safety Committee, said about 80 per cent of accidents were caused by the human factor.
According to him, failure of drivers to heed warning signals and lack of maintenance of vehicles had led to loss of lives.
DCOP Hamidu advised drivers to avoid the drinking of alcoholic beverages and speeding in order to prevent accidents.
He also cautioned drivers to rest after
every four hours of driving to refreshen them up and put them in the right frame of mind to continue their journey.
"If you do not have sound mind and you sit behind the steering wheel, you are a danger to society," DCOP Hamidu said.
According to the Regional Police Commander, a single mistake by a doctor could lead to the death of one person, but a mistake on the part of a driver, could lead to the death of more than one person.
He stated that “it is insensible for the nation to lose its human resources trained at high cost through road accidents” and therefore, cautioned drivers to take their profession seriously to avoid deaths on the roads.
The Regional Road Safety Co-ordinator, Mr Alex Ayata, said so much resources were used by the state to treat accident victims so there was the need for drivers to acquaint themselves with the regulations concerning their profession to prevent road accidents.
The Deputy Commander of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seth Tay, noted that accidents brought economic hardships to the nation.
He stated that many accidents occurred during general election and Christmas periods due to indiscipline on the parts of drivers.
ASP Tay warned that the police were ready to deal with all cases involving violation of road traffic regulations to ensure incident-free polls and Christmas.
.
NANA URGES PEACE, UNITY AT BAWKU (Daily Graphic, Saturday November 22, 2008. PAGE 14)
THE flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has called on the people of Bawku to foster peace and unity.
He said the municipality in particular and Ghana in general could not pursue any development agenda if it would remain a town divided by tribal conflict.
The flag bearer said these when he paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Bawku, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II at Bawku. Nana Akufo-Addo who is on his last leg of a campaign tour was welcomed by a large crowd of supporters who ushered him into the Bawku township on Thursday.
As usual security was very tight with police and military personnel armed to the teeth deployed on the streets and other vantage points to avoid any nasty incident.
Spontaneous cheers greeted the NPP flag bearer as he made his way into the palace, his first visit to the Bawku Naba palace since he won the bid to lead the NPP in this year’s presidential election.
After the traditional greetings and exchange of pleasantries, members of the entourage seized the opportunity for a photo session with the Bawku Naba. One after the other, each member of the large entourage filed for a photograph amidst cheers from the crowd that made it to the palace
Nana Akufo-Addo expressed his appreciation to God for the atmosphere of peace prevailing in Bawku, and stressed that every well-meaning Ghanaian deserved to live in peace.
“Bawku is a very important part of this country and for many of us, not being able to come here does not augur well,” he said, adding that “without reconciliation and accommodation for each other we cannot have peace.
The flag bearer gave the assurance that he would do whatever was needed to be done to promote peace in the area. “We are prepared to go the extra mile to ensure that peace is restored to Bawku,” Nana Akufo-Addo said.
Nana Akufo-Addo introduced his running mate, Dr Mamamudu Bawumia, and the party’s parliamentary candidates for the five constituencies in the Bawku Traditional Area to the Bawku Naba and the people.
They are Messrs Adamu Daramani, Bawku Central, Alhassan Samari, Garu-Tempane, Mohammed Imoro Asoko, Pusiga, Stephen Yakubu, Binduri, and Moses Appiah Abaare, Zebilla.
For his part, the Bawku Naba expressed pride and gratitude to Nana Akufo-Addo for the visit and added that the visit would give a boost to the party’s candidates.
He later requested to have a close door meeting with the flag bearer to which Nana Akufo-Addo obliged.
From the Bawku Naba’s palace, the convoy, mobbed by hundreds of party supporters clad in party paraphernalia, drove to Natinga, where Nana Akufo-Addo visited the family of the late Alhaji Mamaha Gumah, an NPP activist in the Bawku Central Constituency, to mourn with them.
Addressing a mini rally at Natinga later, he called on the people to embrace peace and eschew all acts of violence. According to him, the forthcoming election was about the contest of ideas and policies, and therefore there was the need for the electorate to comport themselves.
Nana Akufo-Addo said when elected president one of the first things he was going to do was to establish the Northern Development Authority for the development of the three northern regions.
He also spoke of his vision to modernise agriculture and transform the three northern regions of Ghana into the bread basket not only for Ghana but West Africa as a whole.
“Under this plan, there will no more be the need for any young person from the northern part of Ghana to migrate to the south in search for non-existent jobs,” he said.
Nana Akufo-Addo also paid courtesy calls on the chiefs of Pusiga, Tempane, Garu, Binduri and Zebilla, where he introduced the party’s parliamentary candidates to the people.
At Pusiga, the chief, Naba Ibrahim Akutu, appealed to the NPP flag bearer to give the area a police station, tar the road from Missiga to Pusiga and the creation of a district if he wins power.
He said the municipality in particular and Ghana in general could not pursue any development agenda if it would remain a town divided by tribal conflict.
The flag bearer said these when he paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Bawku, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II at Bawku. Nana Akufo-Addo who is on his last leg of a campaign tour was welcomed by a large crowd of supporters who ushered him into the Bawku township on Thursday.
As usual security was very tight with police and military personnel armed to the teeth deployed on the streets and other vantage points to avoid any nasty incident.
Spontaneous cheers greeted the NPP flag bearer as he made his way into the palace, his first visit to the Bawku Naba palace since he won the bid to lead the NPP in this year’s presidential election.
After the traditional greetings and exchange of pleasantries, members of the entourage seized the opportunity for a photo session with the Bawku Naba. One after the other, each member of the large entourage filed for a photograph amidst cheers from the crowd that made it to the palace
Nana Akufo-Addo expressed his appreciation to God for the atmosphere of peace prevailing in Bawku, and stressed that every well-meaning Ghanaian deserved to live in peace.
“Bawku is a very important part of this country and for many of us, not being able to come here does not augur well,” he said, adding that “without reconciliation and accommodation for each other we cannot have peace.
The flag bearer gave the assurance that he would do whatever was needed to be done to promote peace in the area. “We are prepared to go the extra mile to ensure that peace is restored to Bawku,” Nana Akufo-Addo said.
Nana Akufo-Addo introduced his running mate, Dr Mamamudu Bawumia, and the party’s parliamentary candidates for the five constituencies in the Bawku Traditional Area to the Bawku Naba and the people.
They are Messrs Adamu Daramani, Bawku Central, Alhassan Samari, Garu-Tempane, Mohammed Imoro Asoko, Pusiga, Stephen Yakubu, Binduri, and Moses Appiah Abaare, Zebilla.
For his part, the Bawku Naba expressed pride and gratitude to Nana Akufo-Addo for the visit and added that the visit would give a boost to the party’s candidates.
He later requested to have a close door meeting with the flag bearer to which Nana Akufo-Addo obliged.
From the Bawku Naba’s palace, the convoy, mobbed by hundreds of party supporters clad in party paraphernalia, drove to Natinga, where Nana Akufo-Addo visited the family of the late Alhaji Mamaha Gumah, an NPP activist in the Bawku Central Constituency, to mourn with them.
Addressing a mini rally at Natinga later, he called on the people to embrace peace and eschew all acts of violence. According to him, the forthcoming election was about the contest of ideas and policies, and therefore there was the need for the electorate to comport themselves.
Nana Akufo-Addo said when elected president one of the first things he was going to do was to establish the Northern Development Authority for the development of the three northern regions.
He also spoke of his vision to modernise agriculture and transform the three northern regions of Ghana into the bread basket not only for Ghana but West Africa as a whole.
“Under this plan, there will no more be the need for any young person from the northern part of Ghana to migrate to the south in search for non-existent jobs,” he said.
Nana Akufo-Addo also paid courtesy calls on the chiefs of Pusiga, Tempane, Garu, Binduri and Zebilla, where he introduced the party’s parliamentary candidates to the people.
At Pusiga, the chief, Naba Ibrahim Akutu, appealed to the NPP flag bearer to give the area a police station, tar the road from Missiga to Pusiga and the creation of a district if he wins power.
Friday, 21 November 2008
GHANAIANS MUST VOTE FOR NEW GOVT — MILLS (Daily Graphic, Friday November 21, 2008 PAGE 17)
Professor John Evans Atta Mills, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has rounded off his four-day campaign tour of the Upper East Region with a call on Ghanaians to vote for a new government.
He said the country needed a new government which would make health care and education accessible to the people, as well as create jobs for the youth and allow people to develop their potential in a congenial atmosphere.
Addressing a rally at the Jubilee Park in Bolgatanga to climax his tour, Prof. Mills gave the assurance that when given the nod he would not discriminate but serve as a president for all Ghanaians.
The rally was addressed by several functionaries of the party, including the National Women’s Organiser, Madam Ama Benyiwa Doe; Mr Ato Ahwoi, Mr Martin Amidu, a former running mate; Mahama Ayariga, Prof. Mills’s spokespersons, Mr Donald Adabre.
Some of the party’s parliamentary candidates were introduced to the gathering.
Prof Mills’ visit to the region took him to the Bolgatanga Constituency, Bawku Central, Binduri, Pusiga, Garu Tempane, Chiana Paga, Navrongo Central and Bawku West constituencies.
Professor Mills blamed the current government for mismanaging the economy, resulting in poverty and unemployment.
According to him, an NDC government when elected to power, would reverse the trend as well as prop up the economy to accelerate the development of the country.
“This is the time we are going to see real development and progress. This is the time we are going to give real jobs to you and make sure we train you and give you the necessary jobs. I am not going to tell you lies or make promises just to get your votes. We know that whatever we say, the good Lord is listening”, he added.
The NDC flag bearer said wherever he went Ghanaians complained about hardships and that only a few people were enjoying.
“I, when elected, will use the resources of this country for the benefit of everybody”, adding that “if it pleases God that I become President of this country, I will be President for all and help every Ghanaian.”
He stressed the need for people in leadership to eschew arrogance and show respect, no matter their stature in life.
Prof. Mills said the country was unfortunately divided: “If you are not an NPP it is as if you are not a Ghanaian. We have people who are using the resources of the country on themselves. They will wait, when there is going to be elections, they will come and give you money to vote for them.
“Let me tell you, the money they are giving you is the taxpayer’s money. Do not accept the money and vote for them because now that you are suffering, nobody knows that you are suffering,” he noted.
He said the NDC when elected would upgrade the Tamale Airport to international status to facilitate international flights. In addition, he said the Tamale Hospital would be upgraded to a teaching hospital.
He restated his call for restraint by NDC activists in the face of provocation.
The NDC presidential candidate reiterated his call for peace, unity and stability during the elections emphasising that that should be the responsibility of every Ghanaian, to guard against violence.
At the University for Development Studies (UDS) campus in Navrongo where he addressed Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) members he reiterated his party’s commitment to making the UDS the centre of education excellence.
Professor Mills during his tour of the region interacted with some traditional authorities including Naba Martin Abilba III, Paramount Chief of Bolgatanga Traditional Area; Bawku Naba Azoka Abugrago II, Paramount Chief of Bawku Traditional Area and Naba Ibrahim Apakwe-Akutu, Chief of Pusiga.
Others were the Paramount Chief of Paga, and President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs; Pe Charles Awampaga, the Chief of Zebilla; Naba Aboya Ndego and the Regent of Navrongo, Arthur Belinia Adda all of who wished the professor well.
The regent of Navrongo, Arthur Belinia Adda, commended Prof. Mills for his humility.
He said the country needed a new government which would make health care and education accessible to the people, as well as create jobs for the youth and allow people to develop their potential in a congenial atmosphere.
Addressing a rally at the Jubilee Park in Bolgatanga to climax his tour, Prof. Mills gave the assurance that when given the nod he would not discriminate but serve as a president for all Ghanaians.
The rally was addressed by several functionaries of the party, including the National Women’s Organiser, Madam Ama Benyiwa Doe; Mr Ato Ahwoi, Mr Martin Amidu, a former running mate; Mahama Ayariga, Prof. Mills’s spokespersons, Mr Donald Adabre.
Some of the party’s parliamentary candidates were introduced to the gathering.
Prof Mills’ visit to the region took him to the Bolgatanga Constituency, Bawku Central, Binduri, Pusiga, Garu Tempane, Chiana Paga, Navrongo Central and Bawku West constituencies.
Professor Mills blamed the current government for mismanaging the economy, resulting in poverty and unemployment.
According to him, an NDC government when elected to power, would reverse the trend as well as prop up the economy to accelerate the development of the country.
“This is the time we are going to see real development and progress. This is the time we are going to give real jobs to you and make sure we train you and give you the necessary jobs. I am not going to tell you lies or make promises just to get your votes. We know that whatever we say, the good Lord is listening”, he added.
The NDC flag bearer said wherever he went Ghanaians complained about hardships and that only a few people were enjoying.
“I, when elected, will use the resources of this country for the benefit of everybody”, adding that “if it pleases God that I become President of this country, I will be President for all and help every Ghanaian.”
He stressed the need for people in leadership to eschew arrogance and show respect, no matter their stature in life.
Prof. Mills said the country was unfortunately divided: “If you are not an NPP it is as if you are not a Ghanaian. We have people who are using the resources of the country on themselves. They will wait, when there is going to be elections, they will come and give you money to vote for them.
“Let me tell you, the money they are giving you is the taxpayer’s money. Do not accept the money and vote for them because now that you are suffering, nobody knows that you are suffering,” he noted.
He said the NDC when elected would upgrade the Tamale Airport to international status to facilitate international flights. In addition, he said the Tamale Hospital would be upgraded to a teaching hospital.
He restated his call for restraint by NDC activists in the face of provocation.
The NDC presidential candidate reiterated his call for peace, unity and stability during the elections emphasising that that should be the responsibility of every Ghanaian, to guard against violence.
At the University for Development Studies (UDS) campus in Navrongo where he addressed Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) members he reiterated his party’s commitment to making the UDS the centre of education excellence.
Professor Mills during his tour of the region interacted with some traditional authorities including Naba Martin Abilba III, Paramount Chief of Bolgatanga Traditional Area; Bawku Naba Azoka Abugrago II, Paramount Chief of Bawku Traditional Area and Naba Ibrahim Apakwe-Akutu, Chief of Pusiga.
Others were the Paramount Chief of Paga, and President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs; Pe Charles Awampaga, the Chief of Zebilla; Naba Aboya Ndego and the Regent of Navrongo, Arthur Belinia Adda all of who wished the professor well.
The regent of Navrongo, Arthur Belinia Adda, commended Prof. Mills for his humility.
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
I'LL PROVIDE TRANSPARENT LEADERSHIP — MILLS (Daily Graphic Monday, November 17, 2008 PAGE 17
THE Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor John Evans Atta Mills, has reiterated his desire to provide transparent and truthful leadership to the country.
He said he would build a society where equal rights and responsibility of all persons would not be mere speech-making.
Addressing thousands of supporters at a rally at Bawku as part of his campaign tour in the Upper East Region, Prof. Mills said should he win the December 7 elections, he would work assiduously to improve the living conditions of Ghanaians.
The rally in Bawku, the first by any political party since the Security Agencies relaxed the restriction imposed on the holding of political activities in the municipality due to protracted tribal conflict, was heavily patronised with the main streets jammed and awash with NDC colours.
Groups of supporters competed to undo each other with dangerous motor riding and praise-singing as well as drumming, all extolling the invincibility of the NDC and its parliamentary candidate, Mr Mahama Ayariga, the incumbent MP.
The rally which also comes at the heels of a recent invitation extended to all political parties by the Bawku Naba to extend their activities to the area, was characterised by heavy police and military presence.
At least two armoured personnel carriers, a police vehicle, a Nissan Patrol, all with several police and military personnel were deployed to ensure that no nasty incident was recorded.
Prof. Mills said the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government had worsened as the NPP had totally failed Ghanaians.
"Elections are about the welfare of the people. If, therefore, you have a government which is not interested in the welfare of the people, such a government cannot move forward, it has to be move outside," he said.
He said, if the NDC was voted into power it would improve on the quality of education and also provide jobs for the people, especially the youth, stressing that it was only the NDC that had the welfare of the people at heart.
According to Prof. Mills, when elected, his government would build technical and vocational schools in every district to provide the youth with skills, adding that beneficiaries would also be given start up capitals to enable them start their own trade.
He also promised to improve the sheanut industry by providing sheanut farmers with protective clothing to prevent them from snake bites.
He disclosed that an NDC government would build factories that would process 50,000 tonnes of sheanut into butter for both the local market and for export.
The NDC Presidential candidate seized the opportunity to plead with the people of Bawku and its surrounding communities which were recovering from violence to embrace peace emphasising that without peace, no development could take place.
"We are all tired of conflict. I am praying to God to touch our hearts so that we will live in unity and together we can work to develop this country", he stressed.
He paid special tribute to both the police and military personnel on peacekeeping duties in the area for their dedication and hard work which had led to the restoration of peace in Bawku.
Prof. Mills said he was aware that like many other Ghanaians, their conditions of service were no better and gave the assurance of improved working conditions when the NDC is elected.
Touching on the oil find, Prof. Mills said resources accruing to the state would be used for the benefit of the people through the provision of social services. He also pledged to set aside some of the oil revenue for generations yet unborn.
Prof. Mills also promised to set up an independent body which would monitor the use of the oil resources and account to the people of this country.
He later introduced Mr Mahama Ayariga whom he described as a very hard working young man with great potential as the Parliamentary candidate for the constituency to the people, and urged them to retain him in parliament.
The NDC Presidential candidate had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Bawku, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, who wished him well in his campaign.
Prior to his tour of the Bawku area, Prof. Mills paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Bolgatanga, Naba Martin Adongo Abilba III, who warmly received him and also wished him well in his campaign.
He later joined the family of an NDC sympathiser, the late Osaman Ali, who died in a motor accident on November 8, 2008 during an NDC peace march in Bolgatanga to mourn with the deceased’s family.
The tour of NDC Presidential candidate to the Bawku areas took him to Garu Tempane, Pusiga and Binduri where he interacted with the chiefs and traditional rulers and addressed mini rallies.
The party's parliamentary candidates namely, Messrs Dominic Azumah, Simon Akunye and Mark Anthony Awuni for Garu Tempane, Pusiga and Binduri constituencies respectively were all introduced to the people.
At Pusiga, 22 supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituency who had defected to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were introduced to the public.
The defectors praised the leadership qualities of Prof. Mills and promised to rally more people to join the NDC.
Prof. Mills said an NDC government would not initiate policies and programmes that would bring untold hardship to them, and called on the people to vote massively for the party in the December 7 general election.
He also gave an undertaking to raise the image of the Pusiga Teacher Training College when given the nod.
Prof. Mills was accompanied by Mr Ato Ahwoi, Madam Ama Benyiwa Doe, National Women's Organiser, and other National and Regional Executive of the party.
He said he would build a society where equal rights and responsibility of all persons would not be mere speech-making.
Addressing thousands of supporters at a rally at Bawku as part of his campaign tour in the Upper East Region, Prof. Mills said should he win the December 7 elections, he would work assiduously to improve the living conditions of Ghanaians.
The rally in Bawku, the first by any political party since the Security Agencies relaxed the restriction imposed on the holding of political activities in the municipality due to protracted tribal conflict, was heavily patronised with the main streets jammed and awash with NDC colours.
Groups of supporters competed to undo each other with dangerous motor riding and praise-singing as well as drumming, all extolling the invincibility of the NDC and its parliamentary candidate, Mr Mahama Ayariga, the incumbent MP.
The rally which also comes at the heels of a recent invitation extended to all political parties by the Bawku Naba to extend their activities to the area, was characterised by heavy police and military presence.
At least two armoured personnel carriers, a police vehicle, a Nissan Patrol, all with several police and military personnel were deployed to ensure that no nasty incident was recorded.
Prof. Mills said the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government had worsened as the NPP had totally failed Ghanaians.
"Elections are about the welfare of the people. If, therefore, you have a government which is not interested in the welfare of the people, such a government cannot move forward, it has to be move outside," he said.
He said, if the NDC was voted into power it would improve on the quality of education and also provide jobs for the people, especially the youth, stressing that it was only the NDC that had the welfare of the people at heart.
According to Prof. Mills, when elected, his government would build technical and vocational schools in every district to provide the youth with skills, adding that beneficiaries would also be given start up capitals to enable them start their own trade.
He also promised to improve the sheanut industry by providing sheanut farmers with protective clothing to prevent them from snake bites.
He disclosed that an NDC government would build factories that would process 50,000 tonnes of sheanut into butter for both the local market and for export.
The NDC Presidential candidate seized the opportunity to plead with the people of Bawku and its surrounding communities which were recovering from violence to embrace peace emphasising that without peace, no development could take place.
"We are all tired of conflict. I am praying to God to touch our hearts so that we will live in unity and together we can work to develop this country", he stressed.
He paid special tribute to both the police and military personnel on peacekeeping duties in the area for their dedication and hard work which had led to the restoration of peace in Bawku.
Prof. Mills said he was aware that like many other Ghanaians, their conditions of service were no better and gave the assurance of improved working conditions when the NDC is elected.
Touching on the oil find, Prof. Mills said resources accruing to the state would be used for the benefit of the people through the provision of social services. He also pledged to set aside some of the oil revenue for generations yet unborn.
Prof. Mills also promised to set up an independent body which would monitor the use of the oil resources and account to the people of this country.
He later introduced Mr Mahama Ayariga whom he described as a very hard working young man with great potential as the Parliamentary candidate for the constituency to the people, and urged them to retain him in parliament.
The NDC Presidential candidate had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Bawku, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, who wished him well in his campaign.
Prior to his tour of the Bawku area, Prof. Mills paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Bolgatanga, Naba Martin Adongo Abilba III, who warmly received him and also wished him well in his campaign.
He later joined the family of an NDC sympathiser, the late Osaman Ali, who died in a motor accident on November 8, 2008 during an NDC peace march in Bolgatanga to mourn with the deceased’s family.
The tour of NDC Presidential candidate to the Bawku areas took him to Garu Tempane, Pusiga and Binduri where he interacted with the chiefs and traditional rulers and addressed mini rallies.
The party's parliamentary candidates namely, Messrs Dominic Azumah, Simon Akunye and Mark Anthony Awuni for Garu Tempane, Pusiga and Binduri constituencies respectively were all introduced to the people.
At Pusiga, 22 supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituency who had defected to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were introduced to the public.
The defectors praised the leadership qualities of Prof. Mills and promised to rally more people to join the NDC.
Prof. Mills said an NDC government would not initiate policies and programmes that would bring untold hardship to them, and called on the people to vote massively for the party in the December 7 general election.
He also gave an undertaking to raise the image of the Pusiga Teacher Training College when given the nod.
Prof. Mills was accompanied by Mr Ato Ahwoi, Madam Ama Benyiwa Doe, National Women's Organiser, and other National and Regional Executive of the party.
TAKE INSPIRATION FROM WOMEN ACHIEVERS (Daily Graphic Tuesday, November 2008, 2008 PAGE 11)
A Development worker in the Upper East Region, Mr Philip Ayamba, has advised female parliamentary candidates to take inspiration from the achievements of some women who have made immense contributions to national development and work hard to win the December elections.
He also called on the electorate to vote for female parliamentary candidates to increase women’s representation in Parliament.
Mr Ayamba recalled the contributions of some women from the northern part of the country and mentioned names of the late Madam Hawa Yakubu, a former MP for Bawku Central; Mrs Agnes Chigabatia, Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, and Madam Kasise, founder of the Sirigu Women’s Organisation of Pottery and Arts, and urged women aspiring for leadership positions to take a cue from them.
He made the statement at a day’s forum at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region aimed at canvassing votes for women contesting in the parliamentary elections.
The forum was facilitated by the Centre for Sustainable Development Initiatives (CENSUDI), a gender-based non-governmental organisation working in the region.
He regretted that although women constituted more than half of the nation’s population, that did not reflect in the number of women in leadership positions and called for support from the government, civil society organisations and the public to encourage more women to assume leadership positions.
Mr Emmanuel Atongi, a former Upper East Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, appealed to the aspirants to conduct their campaigns in peace and avoid insults and inflammatory statements.
He also called on the electorate to come out massively to exercise their franchise on the voting day, since it was their duty and responsibility to do so and urged them not to do anything to mar the elections, stressing that violence could lead to the destruction of life and property.
Madam Margaret Mary Issaka, an Executive Officer of CENSUDI, said the training programme would help equip both the female candidates seeking political office and their campaign team members, as well as the participants with skills and information that would aid their campaign efforts.
Six women have filed their nomination in the Upper East Region to contest the 2008 Parliamentary elections.
They are Madam Evelyn Lamisi Anabila (CPP), Mercy Alima Musah (NPP), both for the Bolgatanga Central seat, and Madam Grace Akua Yinmadug (DFP) for the Talensi Constituency.
The rest are Madam Gifty Ajavuuk (DFP), Builsa South; Mrs Agnes Asangalisah Chigabatia, (NPP) Builsa North, and Ms Rodalim Imoro Ayarna (CPP), for the Bawku Central Constituency.
He also called on the electorate to vote for female parliamentary candidates to increase women’s representation in Parliament.
Mr Ayamba recalled the contributions of some women from the northern part of the country and mentioned names of the late Madam Hawa Yakubu, a former MP for Bawku Central; Mrs Agnes Chigabatia, Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, and Madam Kasise, founder of the Sirigu Women’s Organisation of Pottery and Arts, and urged women aspiring for leadership positions to take a cue from them.
He made the statement at a day’s forum at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region aimed at canvassing votes for women contesting in the parliamentary elections.
The forum was facilitated by the Centre for Sustainable Development Initiatives (CENSUDI), a gender-based non-governmental organisation working in the region.
He regretted that although women constituted more than half of the nation’s population, that did not reflect in the number of women in leadership positions and called for support from the government, civil society organisations and the public to encourage more women to assume leadership positions.
Mr Emmanuel Atongi, a former Upper East Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, appealed to the aspirants to conduct their campaigns in peace and avoid insults and inflammatory statements.
He also called on the electorate to come out massively to exercise their franchise on the voting day, since it was their duty and responsibility to do so and urged them not to do anything to mar the elections, stressing that violence could lead to the destruction of life and property.
Madam Margaret Mary Issaka, an Executive Officer of CENSUDI, said the training programme would help equip both the female candidates seeking political office and their campaign team members, as well as the participants with skills and information that would aid their campaign efforts.
Six women have filed their nomination in the Upper East Region to contest the 2008 Parliamentary elections.
They are Madam Evelyn Lamisi Anabila (CPP), Mercy Alima Musah (NPP), both for the Bolgatanga Central seat, and Madam Grace Akua Yinmadug (DFP) for the Talensi Constituency.
The rest are Madam Gifty Ajavuuk (DFP), Builsa South; Mrs Agnes Asangalisah Chigabatia, (NPP) Builsa North, and Ms Rodalim Imoro Ayarna (CPP), for the Bawku Central Constituency.
Sunday, 16 November 2008
KANGAROO MOTHER CARE LAUNCHED IN BOLGATANGA (Daily Graphic, Saturday, November 15 2008. PAGE 11)
THE Minister of Health, Major (Rtd) Courage Quashiegah, has called on nursing mothers to adopt and incorporate the Kangaroo mother care (KMC) concept to promote the health and well being of premature babies.
Major (Rtd) Quashiegah gave the advice in a speech read on his behalf at the launch of the KMC concept for the Northern Sector of the country at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
The KNC Concept is a method of care of preterm infants which involves infants being carried, usually by the mother, with skin-to-skin contact.
Under this new methodology which was pioneered as a home care system for premature infants in Bogota , Colombia , in 1979, KMC is an alternative method to inadequate and insufficient incubator care for premature babies.
To practice KMC, the mother carries the baby skin-to-skin, the same way mother kangaroos carry their babies in a pouch. A mother holds her infant skin-to-skin between her breasts, ties a cloth around it and the baby pops the head above the chest like a baby kangaroo.
Experts has stated that KMC has proven to be a powerful method in promoting the health and well being of infants born preterm because of the effective thermal (temperature) control, breastfeeding and bonding between the mother and the newborn.
The health minister noted that babies receiving KMC experience an average shorter stay in hospital compared to conventional care adding that babies have fewer infections and gain weight more quickly.
According the Health Minister, evidence from researchers and scientists indicate that good quality care interventions of low birth weight infants could reduce neonatal mortality in low income countries like Ghana .
He therefore urged all who matter to embrace the new system and contribute to its success.
While acknowledging the support of UNICEF and all the hard working staff and managers of Ghana Health Service for ensuring the introduction of the new system, the Minister urged UNICEF and other development Partners to assist the GHS to have the full complement of equipment and training, particularly in maternal Health care, new born resuscitation and the establishment of neonatal unit towards the attainment of the fourth goal of the millennium development goals.
Dr. Gloria Quansah Asare, Acting Director, Family Health Unit of the GHS who Deputized for the Director General of the GHS said the introduction of the KMC concept is a complimentary to other strategies such as improved ante-natal care intermittent presumptive treatment, bed nets, appropriate nutrition and supplementation, skilled delivery as well as early initiation of breast feeding and stabilization of new borns.
“Although it is likely to reduce the need for long periods of incubator care it does not mean that we will do way with incubators and other technology in our referral facilities,” she assured.
The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs. Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia disclosed the region has been ranked the best in the country in term of baby friendly facilities adding that the number of baby friendly facilities has increased from 5 in 2006 to 58 in 2007. Again exclusive breast feeding rate went up from 0.5 pet cent in 1998 to 93 per cent in 2007.
She reiterated the call for nursing mothers to embrace the new KMC concept to ensure its success.
The Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. John Koku Awoonor-Williams said the high rates of new born deaths in the northern parts of Ghana were absolutely unacceptable and the introduction of the KMC concept opens a great opportunity for all to avert neonatal deaths even without the luxury of sophisticated technology, which unfortunate is not readily available.
Major (Rtd) Quashiegah gave the advice in a speech read on his behalf at the launch of the KMC concept for the Northern Sector of the country at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
The KNC Concept is a method of care of preterm infants which involves infants being carried, usually by the mother, with skin-to-skin contact.
Under this new methodology which was pioneered as a home care system for premature infants in Bogota , Colombia , in 1979, KMC is an alternative method to inadequate and insufficient incubator care for premature babies.
To practice KMC, the mother carries the baby skin-to-skin, the same way mother kangaroos carry their babies in a pouch. A mother holds her infant skin-to-skin between her breasts, ties a cloth around it and the baby pops the head above the chest like a baby kangaroo.
Experts has stated that KMC has proven to be a powerful method in promoting the health and well being of infants born preterm because of the effective thermal (temperature) control, breastfeeding and bonding between the mother and the newborn.
The health minister noted that babies receiving KMC experience an average shorter stay in hospital compared to conventional care adding that babies have fewer infections and gain weight more quickly.
According the Health Minister, evidence from researchers and scientists indicate that good quality care interventions of low birth weight infants could reduce neonatal mortality in low income countries like Ghana .
He therefore urged all who matter to embrace the new system and contribute to its success.
While acknowledging the support of UNICEF and all the hard working staff and managers of Ghana Health Service for ensuring the introduction of the new system, the Minister urged UNICEF and other development Partners to assist the GHS to have the full complement of equipment and training, particularly in maternal Health care, new born resuscitation and the establishment of neonatal unit towards the attainment of the fourth goal of the millennium development goals.
Dr. Gloria Quansah Asare, Acting Director, Family Health Unit of the GHS who Deputized for the Director General of the GHS said the introduction of the KMC concept is a complimentary to other strategies such as improved ante-natal care intermittent presumptive treatment, bed nets, appropriate nutrition and supplementation, skilled delivery as well as early initiation of breast feeding and stabilization of new borns.
“Although it is likely to reduce the need for long periods of incubator care it does not mean that we will do way with incubators and other technology in our referral facilities,” she assured.
The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs. Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia disclosed the region has been ranked the best in the country in term of baby friendly facilities adding that the number of baby friendly facilities has increased from 5 in 2006 to 58 in 2007. Again exclusive breast feeding rate went up from 0.5 pet cent in 1998 to 93 per cent in 2007.
She reiterated the call for nursing mothers to embrace the new KMC concept to ensure its success.
The Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. John Koku Awoonor-Williams said the high rates of new born deaths in the northern parts of Ghana were absolutely unacceptable and the introduction of the KMC concept opens a great opportunity for all to avert neonatal deaths even without the luxury of sophisticated technology, which unfortunate is not readily available.
ZUARUNGU CHIEF CALLS FOR PEACE (Daily Graphic, Saturday, November 15, 2008PAGE 17)
THE Chief of Zuarungu in the Upper East Region, Naba Charles B. Ayamga, has called for a clean campaign by the various contestants in the Bolgatanga Constituency to ensure peace in the community.
He said unity in Zuarungu was paramount and above individuals’ interests, hence it was incumbent on all to conduct campaigns devoid of insults and unsubstantiated allegations.
Naba Ayamga was speaking at an inter-denominational prayer session held at the Zuarungu Catholic Social Centre.
The prayer session which was organised by the Zuarungu Local Council of Churches, was to sensitise the people, especially the youth, to the need for Ghana to achieve violence-free elections.
Naba Ayamga stressed the need for the leadership of political parties to sanction their supporters who intimidated others and caused mayhem.
"The unfortunate incidence of violence in Bawku, Gushegu, Yendi and Tamale must not find its way into Zuarungu," Naba Ayamga stressed.
He urged leaders of political parties to stop buying alcohol for their supporters, since alcoholism had proven to be a major cause of violence and threat to security.
The chief commended the various churches in the community for the initiative and urged them to sustain the programme for the good of the area.
The Upper East Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, who was the special guest of honour, reiterated the need for political parties to adhere to the terms of the Public Order Act in their political activities to ensure a healthy political environment.
He also urged leaders of the various political parties to preach love and demonstrate a strong commitment to helping to deepen the democratic process by remaining peaceful and law- abiding.
DCOP Mahama, who is also the chairman of the regional elections security task force, reiterated the neutrality of the police and their commitment to deal fairly with all the parties to further enhance confidence in the police.
The Parish Priest of the Zuarungu St Martins de Pores Catholic Church, Father David Ayariga, who delivered the sermon, said the fact that people belonged to different political parties did not make them enemies.
He, therefore, urged citizens of the area to be tolerant of one another and go about their political activities in peace.
The assembly member for Zuarungu central electoral area, Mr Abagna Maximus Apuko, for his part, stressed the need for the people to tolerate one another to sustain the peace in the area.
Two candidates contesting the Bolgatanga Constituency seat in the upcoming general election, Mr Opam-Brown Akolbire, for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mr David Apasera, for the People’s National Convention (PNC), were present at the function.
#Portrait of the Zuarungu chief
He said unity in Zuarungu was paramount and above individuals’ interests, hence it was incumbent on all to conduct campaigns devoid of insults and unsubstantiated allegations.
Naba Ayamga was speaking at an inter-denominational prayer session held at the Zuarungu Catholic Social Centre.
The prayer session which was organised by the Zuarungu Local Council of Churches, was to sensitise the people, especially the youth, to the need for Ghana to achieve violence-free elections.
Naba Ayamga stressed the need for the leadership of political parties to sanction their supporters who intimidated others and caused mayhem.
"The unfortunate incidence of violence in Bawku, Gushegu, Yendi and Tamale must not find its way into Zuarungu," Naba Ayamga stressed.
He urged leaders of political parties to stop buying alcohol for their supporters, since alcoholism had proven to be a major cause of violence and threat to security.
The chief commended the various churches in the community for the initiative and urged them to sustain the programme for the good of the area.
The Upper East Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, who was the special guest of honour, reiterated the need for political parties to adhere to the terms of the Public Order Act in their political activities to ensure a healthy political environment.
He also urged leaders of the various political parties to preach love and demonstrate a strong commitment to helping to deepen the democratic process by remaining peaceful and law- abiding.
DCOP Mahama, who is also the chairman of the regional elections security task force, reiterated the neutrality of the police and their commitment to deal fairly with all the parties to further enhance confidence in the police.
The Parish Priest of the Zuarungu St Martins de Pores Catholic Church, Father David Ayariga, who delivered the sermon, said the fact that people belonged to different political parties did not make them enemies.
He, therefore, urged citizens of the area to be tolerant of one another and go about their political activities in peace.
The assembly member for Zuarungu central electoral area, Mr Abagna Maximus Apuko, for his part, stressed the need for the people to tolerate one another to sustain the peace in the area.
Two candidates contesting the Bolgatanga Constituency seat in the upcoming general election, Mr Opam-Brown Akolbire, for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mr David Apasera, for the People’s National Convention (PNC), were present at the function.
#Portrait of the Zuarungu chief
NDC CANDIDATES RALLY FOR SUPPORT (Daily Graphic, Saturday, November 15, 2008. PAGE 16)
• At Chiana-Paga
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Paga
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Chiana-Paga Constituency in the Upper East Region, Mr Abuga Pele, has appealed to the electorate in his constituency to renew his mandate as their representative in Parliament, in the forthcoming elections.
In an interview at Paga after a rally to launch his campaign, Mr Pele, who is seeking his fourth term in Parliament, acknowledged the laudable contribution of the NDC while in power and said the time had come for the people to vote back the party into power in order for it to manage the development of the country.
Mr Pele expressed his appreciation to the people of Chiana-Paga for their continued support for the NDC party over the years and hoped they would repeat their support by voting massively for the NDC in the December polls.
He mentioned the provision of scholarships to brilliant needy students, the provision of schools for the youth in the area, especially in Chiana, and electrification programmes to hook communities to the national grid as projects he helped initiate.
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Paga
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Chiana-Paga Constituency in the Upper East Region, Mr Abuga Pele, has appealed to the electorate in his constituency to renew his mandate as their representative in Parliament, in the forthcoming elections.
In an interview at Paga after a rally to launch his campaign, Mr Pele, who is seeking his fourth term in Parliament, acknowledged the laudable contribution of the NDC while in power and said the time had come for the people to vote back the party into power in order for it to manage the development of the country.
Mr Pele expressed his appreciation to the people of Chiana-Paga for their continued support for the NDC party over the years and hoped they would repeat their support by voting massively for the NDC in the December polls.
He mentioned the provision of scholarships to brilliant needy students, the provision of schools for the youth in the area, especially in Chiana, and electrification programmes to hook communities to the national grid as projects he helped initiate.
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
NGO HONOURS OUTSTANDING STAFF (Daily Graphic, Tuesday, November 11, 2008, PAGE 21)
AFRIKIDS Ghana, a grass roots non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in the Upper East Region, has honoured its outstanding members of staff at a ceremony in Bolgatanga.
In all, 20 awards were given to workers.
The award categories included the most hardworking staff, the most impressive core projects, among others.
Prizes presented to the award winners included bicycles, standing fans, digital cameras, DVD players, full pieces of wax print, laptops and television sets.
The award for the most outstanding staff went to Mr Richard Amoah of Operation Fresh Start, which works to resettle the youth who migrate to the southern parts of the country in search of non-existent jobs, while that for the most impressive core project went to Operation Sunlight, which works to eliminate child labour in mining communities.
Afrikids Ghana identifies and works with rural communities to make life more meaningful, safer and bearable,
It currently operates 21 projects, comprising partner, core and sustainability projects.
The core projects are those initiated and delivered by Afrikids Ghana, while the partner projects are those initiated by some committed individuals and groups who share in the ideals and vision of the organisation.
The sustainability projects are those that have been initiated by Afrikids to raise funds to deliver the projects to the people.
In a brief speech, the Country Director of Afrikids Ghana, Mr Nicholas Kumah, commended the entire staff for their output.
He stated that Afrikids Ghana had been shortlisted for Britain's most admired charity award 2008 for being the most innovative charity of the year.
He said in addition, the NGO had been declared winners of the charity times award 2008 for outstanding individual achievement.
Other achievements, Mr Kumah said, included the shortlisting of Afrikids Ghana for the 2008 international service award for the defence of women's rights, winner of the third sector excellence award for accountability and transparency, among others.
"The success story narrated above and others could not have been possible without the commitment of the staff, who worked themselves out in all corners of the community and during odd hours, with no rest," he said.
In all, 20 awards were given to workers.
The award categories included the most hardworking staff, the most impressive core projects, among others.
Prizes presented to the award winners included bicycles, standing fans, digital cameras, DVD players, full pieces of wax print, laptops and television sets.
The award for the most outstanding staff went to Mr Richard Amoah of Operation Fresh Start, which works to resettle the youth who migrate to the southern parts of the country in search of non-existent jobs, while that for the most impressive core project went to Operation Sunlight, which works to eliminate child labour in mining communities.
Afrikids Ghana identifies and works with rural communities to make life more meaningful, safer and bearable,
It currently operates 21 projects, comprising partner, core and sustainability projects.
The core projects are those initiated and delivered by Afrikids Ghana, while the partner projects are those initiated by some committed individuals and groups who share in the ideals and vision of the organisation.
The sustainability projects are those that have been initiated by Afrikids to raise funds to deliver the projects to the people.
In a brief speech, the Country Director of Afrikids Ghana, Mr Nicholas Kumah, commended the entire staff for their output.
He stated that Afrikids Ghana had been shortlisted for Britain's most admired charity award 2008 for being the most innovative charity of the year.
He said in addition, the NGO had been declared winners of the charity times award 2008 for outstanding individual achievement.
Other achievements, Mr Kumah said, included the shortlisting of Afrikids Ghana for the 2008 international service award for the defence of women's rights, winner of the third sector excellence award for accountability and transparency, among others.
"The success story narrated above and others could not have been possible without the commitment of the staff, who worked themselves out in all corners of the community and during odd hours, with no rest," he said.
DEMONSTRATE GOOD JUDGEMENT — ISSAHAQ (Daily Graphic, Tuesday,November 11, 2008 PAGE 20)
THE Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Mohammed N. Issahaq, has charged media practitioners in the region to demonstrate good judgement in all issues bordering on the upcoming general election, especially those that have the potential for inflaming passions.
“It is in our own interest to contribute to the entrenchment of democracy and stability in the country as no media institution can thrive in an atmosphere of violence, disorder and lawlessness,” he stressed.
Mr Issahaq, who is also the Regional Manager of the Ghana News Agency, gave the advice at a day’s capacity building workshop on election reporting for media practitioners at Bolgatanga.
The Electoral Commission (EC) jointly organised the seminar with KAB Governance Consult with funding from the Netherlands Institute for Multi-party Democracy.
The regional GJA Chairman noted that in societies such as the one Ghana finds itself in, election periods are most delicate moments “but these days, journalists throw all caution to the winds and resort to sensationalism.”
He, therefore, charged media practitioners to be constructive in their reportage in order to sustain the prevailing peace.
“The challenge at the moment is for us to help create a conducive atmosphere for the December 7, 2008 general polls to take place. All we need to do is to demonstrate absolute neutrality and fairness in our dealings with all political parties,” Mr Issahaq stressed.
He identified four key stakeholders, which were critical as far as the forthcoming election was concerned.
They were the EC, political parties, security agencies and the media, adding that most often people were quick to blame the media in the event of any mishap.
“Let us deny the society the opportunity this time round,” Mr Issahaq stressed.
The Director of Training of the EC, Mr Charles O. Addai, said the workshop formed part of a series of programmes lined up by the commission for the various stakeholders aimed at ensuring peaceful and trouble-free election.
He charged the media practitioners to equip themselves with all the relevant electoral processes in order to report more accurately.
Mr Addai also advised the participants to be fair-minded and be proactive in bringing to the electorate useful and timely information that would lead to successful polls.
He cautioned media houses against the practice of announcing or publishing unconfirmed and uncertified results, stressing that all results must be confirmed by the EC before they could be broadcast or published.
Mr Addai stated that as part of measures to ensure that people did not cheat the system, the EC was changing the method of applying the indelible ink.
The Regional Director of the EC, Mr Adams Mahama Iddrisu, said the media played a great role in ensuring successful elections, and as such, the commission found it necessary to engage them in a dialogue to deliberate on what role they could play.
Topics discussed at the forum included the in-built integrity of Ghana’s electoral process and the procedures on polling day, as well as the role of the media.
“It is in our own interest to contribute to the entrenchment of democracy and stability in the country as no media institution can thrive in an atmosphere of violence, disorder and lawlessness,” he stressed.
Mr Issahaq, who is also the Regional Manager of the Ghana News Agency, gave the advice at a day’s capacity building workshop on election reporting for media practitioners at Bolgatanga.
The Electoral Commission (EC) jointly organised the seminar with KAB Governance Consult with funding from the Netherlands Institute for Multi-party Democracy.
The regional GJA Chairman noted that in societies such as the one Ghana finds itself in, election periods are most delicate moments “but these days, journalists throw all caution to the winds and resort to sensationalism.”
He, therefore, charged media practitioners to be constructive in their reportage in order to sustain the prevailing peace.
“The challenge at the moment is for us to help create a conducive atmosphere for the December 7, 2008 general polls to take place. All we need to do is to demonstrate absolute neutrality and fairness in our dealings with all political parties,” Mr Issahaq stressed.
He identified four key stakeholders, which were critical as far as the forthcoming election was concerned.
They were the EC, political parties, security agencies and the media, adding that most often people were quick to blame the media in the event of any mishap.
“Let us deny the society the opportunity this time round,” Mr Issahaq stressed.
The Director of Training of the EC, Mr Charles O. Addai, said the workshop formed part of a series of programmes lined up by the commission for the various stakeholders aimed at ensuring peaceful and trouble-free election.
He charged the media practitioners to equip themselves with all the relevant electoral processes in order to report more accurately.
Mr Addai also advised the participants to be fair-minded and be proactive in bringing to the electorate useful and timely information that would lead to successful polls.
He cautioned media houses against the practice of announcing or publishing unconfirmed and uncertified results, stressing that all results must be confirmed by the EC before they could be broadcast or published.
Mr Addai stated that as part of measures to ensure that people did not cheat the system, the EC was changing the method of applying the indelible ink.
The Regional Director of the EC, Mr Adams Mahama Iddrisu, said the media played a great role in ensuring successful elections, and as such, the commission found it necessary to engage them in a dialogue to deliberate on what role they could play.
Topics discussed at the forum included the in-built integrity of Ghana’s electoral process and the procedures on polling day, as well as the role of the media.
Monday, 10 November 2008
PNC, DFP PREDICT IMPRESSIVE SHOWING IN UE (Daily Graphic, Monday, November 10, 2008 PAGE 15)
THE Upper East Regional Secretaries of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) and the People’s National Convention (PNC) have predicted an impressive performance for their parties in the up-coming elections.
Mr Issah Bogobire of the DFP predicted an impressive performance for his party in the parliamentary elections in the region whilst Mr Henry Fatchu of the PNC predicted a massive victory for the party.
Mr Bogobire who made the remark in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Navrongo said he was optimistic that the six candidates put forward by his party to contest in the parliamentary race would emerge victorious.
The DFP has so far filed to contest in six out of the 13 constituencies in the Upper East Region.
The candidates are Alhaji Imoro Yaro-Kano, a teacher for the Bawku Central Constituency; Mr Edward Alale Dahamani, a retired health worker for the Garu-Tempane Constituency, and Mr Ayeebo Budare , an agricultural extension officer for the Binduri Constituency.
The rest are Mr Robert A. Abiiro, a former Assemblyman for Dapooretindongo Electoral Area for the Bolgatanga Central Constituency, Madam Grace Akua, a health worker and a former NDC Constituency Women’s Organiser for the Talensi Constituency, and Madam Gifty Adzevu, a business woman for the Builsa South Constituency.
According to the Regional Secretary of the DFP, who is also a member of the National Executive Council if for nothing at all, the party was looking forward to picking the Bawku Central, Binduri and Garu Tempane District with ease.
“This is based on the hard work, coupled with the support and goodwill being enjoyed by the DFP in these constituencies,” he said.
He said in spite of some challenges such as inadequate logistics, the party had managed to prosecute a successful campaign in the region, and expressed the hope that this would be translated into votes, come December 7, 2008.
According to the Regional Secretary of PNC, Mr Fatchu , the PNC was hopeful of picking at least nine out of the 13 parliamentary seats available in the Upper East Region.
Mr Fatchu told the Daily Graphic at Bolgatanga that the rich backgrounds of the aspirants offering themselves for elections, coupled with the hard work put in by the candidates and the party were ample evidence of the preparedness of the PNC as far as this year’s elections were concerned.
Out of the 13 parliamentary seats, the PNC is contesting 12, leaving the Zebilla seat.
Incidentally, the Zebilla seat was won by the PNC in the 2004. The incumbent MP, Mr John Ndebugre, who won on the ticket of the PNC, is now contesting it as an independent candidate.
Leading the pack of the party’s candidates for the polls in the region is Alhaji Amidu Mamadu Sisala, who is vying for the Bawku Central Constituency. Alhaji Sisala, 52, is a GCE ‘O’ Level holder and farmer.
In 2004 he contested the polls alongside the likes of the late Madam Hawa Yakubu (NPP), Mahama Ayariga (NDC), Tiaban Kundima (CPP), Abubakar Ustarz (IND), and Sadat Amadu (IND). Out of a total of 38, 405 votes cast Alhaji Sisala obtained 333, representing 0.9 per cent. He is hoping to improve upon his performance this time round.
Next is Mr Cyprian Ayendago Azure, who is working hard to wrest the Binduri seat from the NDC for the PNC. Mr Azure, 46, is a teacher by profession. This is his first attempt at the slot.
Mr David Apasera is making a third shot at the Bolgatanga Central seat for the PNC. Mr Apasera, 46, a social worker, defeated NDC’s Simon Anyoa Abingya in 2000, retained the seat in 2004 and is fired up to win it again in this year’s polls.
In 2004, he obtained 18, 948 votes, representing 38.6 per cent of the total votes cast, to defeat the likes of G. A. Agambila(NPP), Mr Akolbire Opam Brown (NDC), Ms Evelyn Lamisi Anabila (CPP), Solomon Awuni (DPP), Julius Baba Amoshie (Independent).
Incidentally, Mr Opam Brown (NDC) and Ms Anabila (CPP) are still in the race for the seat in the December polls.
In the Bongo Constituency, PNC is putting up Mr Jacob Kofi Nsoh, 46, a teacher, who has a Bachelor of Education in Social Studies. He is making his first attempt at the seat. Only time will tell if he has what it takes to beat the crack line-up of aspirants contesting for the seat in the December polls, who include the incumbent, Albert Abongo(NDC) and the sitting District Chief Executive, Mr Francis Akurugu Asampana.
In the Builsa North Constituency, the PNC man for the job is Mr Thomas Akum-Young, 55, a business executive, who holds a Diploma in Financial Management. In 2004 he contested the seat and lost to Mrs Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia. He polled 5,657 out of the total of 19,009 votes cast. Interestingly, the two, together with other candidates representing other parties, are still in the race for the seat.
In nearby Builsa South Constituency, PNC’s man for the job is Mr Alhassan Azong, 43, a Management and Development Consultant. Currently, he is a lecturer at the Bolgatanga Polytechnic.
A 43- year-old social worker, Mr Francis Niaga Santuah, is contesting the Chiana-Paga Constituency seat on the ticket of the PNC. He holds a post-graduate degree in Communications and is set to face veteran Abuga Pele of the NDC and other aspirants for the mandate to represent the people in Parliament.
In the Garu-Tempane Constituency, Mr Tuyaab Haruna Mintar, 30, is contesting on the PNC ticket. He is a teacher and set to face stalwarts such as Dominic Azumah, the NDC incumbent MP and the Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari (NPP), in this year’s polls.
Dr Somtim Tobiga, a 59-year-old legal practitioner who failed in his first attempt to make it to Parliament in 2004 is back in the race for the Nabdam seat. In his previous attempt, he polled 1,002 out of a total of 11,128 votes cast against the likes of Boniface Gambila of the NPP and Moses Aduku Asaga of the NDC. Can he beat this same set of aspirants who are still in the race for the Nabdam seat? We live to see.
The former General Secretary of the PNC, Mr Gabriel Scott Pwamang, is making his third attempt at contesting the Navrong Central seat. Mr Pwamang, a 46-year-old lawyer lost the 2000 and 2004 polls and he is looking forward to upping his performance this time round. In the last general election, he polled 6,512 representing 20.6 per cent of the total votes cast.
Ex-Sergeant Peter Tasiri Azongo, a former member of the defunct Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) leads the PNC into battle for the Pusiga seat in this year’s polls.
Ex-Sergeant Azongo, 62, has a certificate in Agriculture and Industrial Mechanisation.
In the Talensi Constituency, new entrant, Dr Michael Wombeogo, a lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS), concludes the list of personalities selected by the People’s National Convention (PNC) to contest as its parliamentary candidate.
In the 2004 elections, PNC filed in 10 out of the 13 constituencies and managed to win in two constituencies. They are the Bolgatanga Central and Zebilla constituencies.
Mr Issah Bogobire of the DFP predicted an impressive performance for his party in the parliamentary elections in the region whilst Mr Henry Fatchu of the PNC predicted a massive victory for the party.
Mr Bogobire who made the remark in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Navrongo said he was optimistic that the six candidates put forward by his party to contest in the parliamentary race would emerge victorious.
The DFP has so far filed to contest in six out of the 13 constituencies in the Upper East Region.
The candidates are Alhaji Imoro Yaro-Kano, a teacher for the Bawku Central Constituency; Mr Edward Alale Dahamani, a retired health worker for the Garu-Tempane Constituency, and Mr Ayeebo Budare , an agricultural extension officer for the Binduri Constituency.
The rest are Mr Robert A. Abiiro, a former Assemblyman for Dapooretindongo Electoral Area for the Bolgatanga Central Constituency, Madam Grace Akua, a health worker and a former NDC Constituency Women’s Organiser for the Talensi Constituency, and Madam Gifty Adzevu, a business woman for the Builsa South Constituency.
According to the Regional Secretary of the DFP, who is also a member of the National Executive Council if for nothing at all, the party was looking forward to picking the Bawku Central, Binduri and Garu Tempane District with ease.
“This is based on the hard work, coupled with the support and goodwill being enjoyed by the DFP in these constituencies,” he said.
He said in spite of some challenges such as inadequate logistics, the party had managed to prosecute a successful campaign in the region, and expressed the hope that this would be translated into votes, come December 7, 2008.
According to the Regional Secretary of PNC, Mr Fatchu , the PNC was hopeful of picking at least nine out of the 13 parliamentary seats available in the Upper East Region.
Mr Fatchu told the Daily Graphic at Bolgatanga that the rich backgrounds of the aspirants offering themselves for elections, coupled with the hard work put in by the candidates and the party were ample evidence of the preparedness of the PNC as far as this year’s elections were concerned.
Out of the 13 parliamentary seats, the PNC is contesting 12, leaving the Zebilla seat.
Incidentally, the Zebilla seat was won by the PNC in the 2004. The incumbent MP, Mr John Ndebugre, who won on the ticket of the PNC, is now contesting it as an independent candidate.
Leading the pack of the party’s candidates for the polls in the region is Alhaji Amidu Mamadu Sisala, who is vying for the Bawku Central Constituency. Alhaji Sisala, 52, is a GCE ‘O’ Level holder and farmer.
In 2004 he contested the polls alongside the likes of the late Madam Hawa Yakubu (NPP), Mahama Ayariga (NDC), Tiaban Kundima (CPP), Abubakar Ustarz (IND), and Sadat Amadu (IND). Out of a total of 38, 405 votes cast Alhaji Sisala obtained 333, representing 0.9 per cent. He is hoping to improve upon his performance this time round.
Next is Mr Cyprian Ayendago Azure, who is working hard to wrest the Binduri seat from the NDC for the PNC. Mr Azure, 46, is a teacher by profession. This is his first attempt at the slot.
Mr David Apasera is making a third shot at the Bolgatanga Central seat for the PNC. Mr Apasera, 46, a social worker, defeated NDC’s Simon Anyoa Abingya in 2000, retained the seat in 2004 and is fired up to win it again in this year’s polls.
In 2004, he obtained 18, 948 votes, representing 38.6 per cent of the total votes cast, to defeat the likes of G. A. Agambila(NPP), Mr Akolbire Opam Brown (NDC), Ms Evelyn Lamisi Anabila (CPP), Solomon Awuni (DPP), Julius Baba Amoshie (Independent).
Incidentally, Mr Opam Brown (NDC) and Ms Anabila (CPP) are still in the race for the seat in the December polls.
In the Bongo Constituency, PNC is putting up Mr Jacob Kofi Nsoh, 46, a teacher, who has a Bachelor of Education in Social Studies. He is making his first attempt at the seat. Only time will tell if he has what it takes to beat the crack line-up of aspirants contesting for the seat in the December polls, who include the incumbent, Albert Abongo(NDC) and the sitting District Chief Executive, Mr Francis Akurugu Asampana.
In the Builsa North Constituency, the PNC man for the job is Mr Thomas Akum-Young, 55, a business executive, who holds a Diploma in Financial Management. In 2004 he contested the seat and lost to Mrs Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia. He polled 5,657 out of the total of 19,009 votes cast. Interestingly, the two, together with other candidates representing other parties, are still in the race for the seat.
In nearby Builsa South Constituency, PNC’s man for the job is Mr Alhassan Azong, 43, a Management and Development Consultant. Currently, he is a lecturer at the Bolgatanga Polytechnic.
A 43- year-old social worker, Mr Francis Niaga Santuah, is contesting the Chiana-Paga Constituency seat on the ticket of the PNC. He holds a post-graduate degree in Communications and is set to face veteran Abuga Pele of the NDC and other aspirants for the mandate to represent the people in Parliament.
In the Garu-Tempane Constituency, Mr Tuyaab Haruna Mintar, 30, is contesting on the PNC ticket. He is a teacher and set to face stalwarts such as Dominic Azumah, the NDC incumbent MP and the Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari (NPP), in this year’s polls.
Dr Somtim Tobiga, a 59-year-old legal practitioner who failed in his first attempt to make it to Parliament in 2004 is back in the race for the Nabdam seat. In his previous attempt, he polled 1,002 out of a total of 11,128 votes cast against the likes of Boniface Gambila of the NPP and Moses Aduku Asaga of the NDC. Can he beat this same set of aspirants who are still in the race for the Nabdam seat? We live to see.
The former General Secretary of the PNC, Mr Gabriel Scott Pwamang, is making his third attempt at contesting the Navrong Central seat. Mr Pwamang, a 46-year-old lawyer lost the 2000 and 2004 polls and he is looking forward to upping his performance this time round. In the last general election, he polled 6,512 representing 20.6 per cent of the total votes cast.
Ex-Sergeant Peter Tasiri Azongo, a former member of the defunct Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) leads the PNC into battle for the Pusiga seat in this year’s polls.
Ex-Sergeant Azongo, 62, has a certificate in Agriculture and Industrial Mechanisation.
In the Talensi Constituency, new entrant, Dr Michael Wombeogo, a lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS), concludes the list of personalities selected by the People’s National Convention (PNC) to contest as its parliamentary candidate.
In the 2004 elections, PNC filed in 10 out of the 13 constituencies and managed to win in two constituencies. They are the Bolgatanga Central and Zebilla constituencies.
Sunday, 9 November 2008
EXHIBIT DISCIPLINE TO WIN PUBLIC CONFIDENCE (Daily Graphic, Monday, November 10, 2008 PAGE 40)
THE Upper East Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Hamidu Mahama, has advised police personnel in the region to exhibit a high sense of professional discipline and competence to win the confidence and sympathy of the public.
Police personnel, he said, should refrain from acts that would impugn the credibility and dignity of the profession.
DCOP Mahama gave the advice after leading personnel of the service to embark on a three-hour endurance walk through the principal streets of Bolgatanga.
The exercise was also to create awareness of the preparedness of the Ghana Police Service to ensure that the ongoing electioneering and the December 7 general election were conducted peacefully.
DCOP Mahama cautioned that anyone caught causing or to have caused trouble before, during and after the elections would be treated as an individual criminal and not a member of any political party.
He urged political parties to adhere to the electoral laws and the Public Order Act in order to safeguard the prevailing peace.
DCOP Mahama proposed that to ensure peace before, during and after the elections, all stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission (EC), the media, the security services, political parties, civil society and Ghanaians in general, should play their respective roles effectively.
The Regional Police Command, he added, was adequately resourced, both logistically and in terms of personnel.
According to DCOP Mahama, the region would soon take delivery of more logistics which would be evenly distributed to the personnel to ensure that people who were preparing to undermine the process were brought to book.
He said the exercise would be replicated in major towns such as Navrongo, Sandema and Bawku to demonstrate the readiness of the police to deal with all election-related violence.
Police personnel, he said, should refrain from acts that would impugn the credibility and dignity of the profession.
DCOP Mahama gave the advice after leading personnel of the service to embark on a three-hour endurance walk through the principal streets of Bolgatanga.
The exercise was also to create awareness of the preparedness of the Ghana Police Service to ensure that the ongoing electioneering and the December 7 general election were conducted peacefully.
DCOP Mahama cautioned that anyone caught causing or to have caused trouble before, during and after the elections would be treated as an individual criminal and not a member of any political party.
He urged political parties to adhere to the electoral laws and the Public Order Act in order to safeguard the prevailing peace.
DCOP Mahama proposed that to ensure peace before, during and after the elections, all stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission (EC), the media, the security services, political parties, civil society and Ghanaians in general, should play their respective roles effectively.
The Regional Police Command, he added, was adequately resourced, both logistically and in terms of personnel.
According to DCOP Mahama, the region would soon take delivery of more logistics which would be evenly distributed to the personnel to ensure that people who were preparing to undermine the process were brought to book.
He said the exercise would be replicated in major towns such as Navrongo, Sandema and Bawku to demonstrate the readiness of the police to deal with all election-related violence.
TALENSI-NABDAM ASSEMBLY MOVES FORWARD (Daily Graphic Monday, November 10, 2008 PAGE 40)
TALENSI-NABDAM, one of the relatively new districts in the Upper East Region, was carved out of the Bolgatanga District in August 2004.
The district, with a population of about 94,650, has Tongo as its capital. The assembly has a total membership of 37, comprising 27 elected and 10 appointed members. It also has two Members of Parliament (MPs) representing the two constituencies of Talensi and Nabdam.
The district appears to have overcome the teething problems characteristic of any new establishment and is gradually moving away from a rural and deprived district into one committed to championing the developmental needs of its people.
Although the assembly is yet to receive its full complement of assets due it from the mother district, the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly, it has managed to stand on its feet with its scanty resources.
Giving an overview of its performance over the past years at the third ordinary meeting of the second session of the assembly at Tongo, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Anaba Nabila, said with support from the central government and other development partners, as well as from its own internally generated funds, the assembly was steadily making progress with regard to the initiation of development projects.
He said about GH¢1,770 was allocated to the assembly as its share of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund for the year, saying that as of September 2008, about GH¢415,000 had been received from the administrator of the fund for the first and second quarters to finance the assembly's planned programmes and projects.
He said under a CIDA-funded district wide assistance programme, two classroom blocks were under construction, while furniture was being provided at Tongo and Asonge at a total cost of GH¢190,000.
The projects, the DCE said, had reached advanced stages of completion and that hopefully they would be handed over by the close of the year.
He indicated that a number of projects had been proposed for Tongo-Beo, Yakoti, Nangodi and Pusu-Namongo in 2009 to be financed by CIDA at a total cost of GH¢190,000
The Talensi-Nabdam District is noted for having a large number of children out of school, especially in the mining areas, due to lack of school infrastructure.
To address the problem, the assembly, with support from the European Union Micro Projects, has mobilised materials and logistics for the construction of three separate projects covering the educational and health sectors. The beneficiary communities are Bapelgu and Pelungu.
The DCE expressed the hope that the assemblymembers would mobilise the people to offer communal labour on the projects to ensure their early completion.
Mr Nabila said in order to boost economic activities in the area, the government had decided to construct a market complex at Tongo.
He disclosed that the disbursement of money under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme had started, adding that a total of GH¢31,500 had so far been released for disbursement to 1,050 households in three communities.
The beneficiary communities are Shia, Baare and Yakote. Two other communities, Tongo-Beo and Nyogbore, would soon be roped in.
On health, Mr Nabila said although the assembly had fulfilled all the requirements for the establishment of a Mutual Health Insurance Scheme in the area to enable the people to access quality health care, a change in policy by the National Health Insurance Council had affected the implementation of the scheme.
He said currently the structures meant for the scheme in the district had been transformed into a zonal office operating under the Bolgatanga Mutual Health insurance Scheme.
He, however, called on the management of the Bolgatanga Mutual Health Insurance Scheme to fast-track the registration and issuance of identity cards to clients to enable them to assess the scheme.
From all indications, the young assembly is committed to ensuring that it provides the needed structures for the development of the area and it behoves all stakeholders who matter to join forces with the administrators of the district to achieve its targets.
The district, with a population of about 94,650, has Tongo as its capital. The assembly has a total membership of 37, comprising 27 elected and 10 appointed members. It also has two Members of Parliament (MPs) representing the two constituencies of Talensi and Nabdam.
The district appears to have overcome the teething problems characteristic of any new establishment and is gradually moving away from a rural and deprived district into one committed to championing the developmental needs of its people.
Although the assembly is yet to receive its full complement of assets due it from the mother district, the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly, it has managed to stand on its feet with its scanty resources.
Giving an overview of its performance over the past years at the third ordinary meeting of the second session of the assembly at Tongo, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Anaba Nabila, said with support from the central government and other development partners, as well as from its own internally generated funds, the assembly was steadily making progress with regard to the initiation of development projects.
He said about GH¢1,770 was allocated to the assembly as its share of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund for the year, saying that as of September 2008, about GH¢415,000 had been received from the administrator of the fund for the first and second quarters to finance the assembly's planned programmes and projects.
He said under a CIDA-funded district wide assistance programme, two classroom blocks were under construction, while furniture was being provided at Tongo and Asonge at a total cost of GH¢190,000.
The projects, the DCE said, had reached advanced stages of completion and that hopefully they would be handed over by the close of the year.
He indicated that a number of projects had been proposed for Tongo-Beo, Yakoti, Nangodi and Pusu-Namongo in 2009 to be financed by CIDA at a total cost of GH¢190,000
The Talensi-Nabdam District is noted for having a large number of children out of school, especially in the mining areas, due to lack of school infrastructure.
To address the problem, the assembly, with support from the European Union Micro Projects, has mobilised materials and logistics for the construction of three separate projects covering the educational and health sectors. The beneficiary communities are Bapelgu and Pelungu.
The DCE expressed the hope that the assemblymembers would mobilise the people to offer communal labour on the projects to ensure their early completion.
Mr Nabila said in order to boost economic activities in the area, the government had decided to construct a market complex at Tongo.
He disclosed that the disbursement of money under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme had started, adding that a total of GH¢31,500 had so far been released for disbursement to 1,050 households in three communities.
The beneficiary communities are Shia, Baare and Yakote. Two other communities, Tongo-Beo and Nyogbore, would soon be roped in.
On health, Mr Nabila said although the assembly had fulfilled all the requirements for the establishment of a Mutual Health Insurance Scheme in the area to enable the people to access quality health care, a change in policy by the National Health Insurance Council had affected the implementation of the scheme.
He said currently the structures meant for the scheme in the district had been transformed into a zonal office operating under the Bolgatanga Mutual Health insurance Scheme.
He, however, called on the management of the Bolgatanga Mutual Health Insurance Scheme to fast-track the registration and issuance of identity cards to clients to enable them to assess the scheme.
From all indications, the young assembly is committed to ensuring that it provides the needed structures for the development of the area and it behoves all stakeholders who matter to join forces with the administrators of the district to achieve its targets.
WOYONGO TO ESTABLISH EDUCATIONAL FUND (Daily Graphic, Friday, November 7, 2008 PAGE 15)
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), parliamentary candidate for the Navrongo Central Constituency, Mr. Mark Wayongo has said he will establish an education development fund to take care of declining standards of education in the area when elected into parliament.
He said the fund would be used to support brilliant but needy students to maintain the high standards of education that the Kassena-Nankana District is noted for.
Mr. Wayongo disclosed this when he paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Navrongo and members of the Navrongo Traditional Council. The visit was also to introduce himself to the council and inform the chiefs of his participation in the race to become the MP for the area.
He said he was deeply concern about issues militating against the development of the area, especially the falling standards of education in the Navrongo Traditional Area and said when elected, he would work closely with all stakeholders to reverse the downward trend of education.
Accompanied by Messrs Mr. Ibrahim Adam, Gilbert Iddi, Sylvester Azantilow, Donald Adabre all former ministers of state and other Regional Officers of the party, Mr. Wayongo was welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd at Kandiga Junction and ushered into the Navrongo Township where he addressed the Traditional Council and introduced himself and his vision to the people.
He said the NDC when re-elected into office would put in place more human-centered economic policies that would give relief to the poor and enable the average Ghanaian to live a decent life when voted into power.
“NDC is a party that caters for the needs of the poor, that is why when we were in power, we did so much to bridge the yawing gap between the north and the south with the extension of electric power, the creation of the University for Development Studies and the construction of the road from Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo Region to Paga in the Upper East Region.”
He said the fund would be used to support brilliant but needy students to maintain the high standards of education that the Kassena-Nankana District is noted for.
Mr. Wayongo disclosed this when he paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of Navrongo and members of the Navrongo Traditional Council. The visit was also to introduce himself to the council and inform the chiefs of his participation in the race to become the MP for the area.
He said he was deeply concern about issues militating against the development of the area, especially the falling standards of education in the Navrongo Traditional Area and said when elected, he would work closely with all stakeholders to reverse the downward trend of education.
Accompanied by Messrs Mr. Ibrahim Adam, Gilbert Iddi, Sylvester Azantilow, Donald Adabre all former ministers of state and other Regional Officers of the party, Mr. Wayongo was welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd at Kandiga Junction and ushered into the Navrongo Township where he addressed the Traditional Council and introduced himself and his vision to the people.
He said the NDC when re-elected into office would put in place more human-centered economic policies that would give relief to the poor and enable the average Ghanaian to live a decent life when voted into power.
“NDC is a party that caters for the needs of the poor, that is why when we were in power, we did so much to bridge the yawing gap between the north and the south with the extension of electric power, the creation of the University for Development Studies and the construction of the road from Kintampo in the Brong Ahafo Region to Paga in the Upper East Region.”
NAVRONGO UDS STUDENTS EMBARK ON DEMONSTRATION (Daily Graphic, Friday, November , 2008 PAGE 11)
STUDENTS of the Navrongo Campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in the Kassena-Nankana District of the Upper East Region have embarked on a peaceful demonstration on the school’s premises over maladministration by management of the university.
Led by the executive of the Students Representative Council (SRC), the students who wore red clothes to signify their anger barricaded all entrances to the lecturers’ rooms. They also blocked the gates leading to the main campuses and the school library, thereby disrupting academic activities.
The reasons for their action included poor sanitation on the campus, overgrown weeds, inadequate furniture for studies, poor lighting systems in the various lecture halls and around the campus, as well as the frequent interruption of the Information Technology (IT) service to students.
Other reasons given included failure by management to register students for Health Insurance, exorbitant non-residential charges and the dusty road network.
The SRC President, Mr Gabriel McNair Nyamekye, said it was unfair and unacceptable for management to continue to charge students for services which they were not providing.
“If you go to our halls of residence, the situation is very appalling. The sanitation situation is very poor. We paid money to be provided IT services by a company called Socket Works, but to date we have not had any service.
“We have had enough of them and we do not think we still need their services”, the SRC President said.
“We paid GH ¢40.00 as premium for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), but to date most students have not been enrolled and are denied NHIS services when they visited the hospitals. If they cannot insure us they should give us our money,” he said.
He bemoaned the poor state of the residential facilities on campus and said the washroom facilities in most halls of residences were nothing to write home about. Water hardly flows through the taps and the closets are in a bad condition.
The President called on the management to correct the situation and also provide students with new mattresses to replace the worn-out ones.
In a petition presented to management, the students mentioned the poor lighting system on campus, stressing that at night the entire university community was so dark that students and lecturers alike were exposed to danger.
A copy of the petition was presented to the District Assembly and the Navrongo Traditional Council.
Responding to the demands of the students, the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Arts, Dr Kenneth B. Pelig-Ba, expressed regret at the action of the students as management was in constant touch with their leadership.
On the issue of IT service, he said the service provider informed management that due to ongoing upgrading works, the server had developed a fault and that efforts were underway to restore service.
On the inadequate furniture, Dr Pelig-Ba blamed the students for constantly removing the furniture from the lecture rooms to their hostels and other parts of the campus under the guise of studying , adding that he sometimes had to carry chairs himself to the lecture halls.
He, however, admitted that the campus was very weedy and blamed it on poor supervision and gave the assurance that the situation would be addressed.
On the NHIS, he said 3rd and 4th year students had been registered and the rest of them were yet to be registered.
He said management would take up the issue to ensure that the rest of the students were enrolled in the scheme.
The Dean promised that the management of the university would meet soon to find solutions to the concerns raised by the students to facilitate studies on campus.
Led by the executive of the Students Representative Council (SRC), the students who wore red clothes to signify their anger barricaded all entrances to the lecturers’ rooms. They also blocked the gates leading to the main campuses and the school library, thereby disrupting academic activities.
The reasons for their action included poor sanitation on the campus, overgrown weeds, inadequate furniture for studies, poor lighting systems in the various lecture halls and around the campus, as well as the frequent interruption of the Information Technology (IT) service to students.
Other reasons given included failure by management to register students for Health Insurance, exorbitant non-residential charges and the dusty road network.
The SRC President, Mr Gabriel McNair Nyamekye, said it was unfair and unacceptable for management to continue to charge students for services which they were not providing.
“If you go to our halls of residence, the situation is very appalling. The sanitation situation is very poor. We paid money to be provided IT services by a company called Socket Works, but to date we have not had any service.
“We have had enough of them and we do not think we still need their services”, the SRC President said.
“We paid GH ¢40.00 as premium for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), but to date most students have not been enrolled and are denied NHIS services when they visited the hospitals. If they cannot insure us they should give us our money,” he said.
He bemoaned the poor state of the residential facilities on campus and said the washroom facilities in most halls of residences were nothing to write home about. Water hardly flows through the taps and the closets are in a bad condition.
The President called on the management to correct the situation and also provide students with new mattresses to replace the worn-out ones.
In a petition presented to management, the students mentioned the poor lighting system on campus, stressing that at night the entire university community was so dark that students and lecturers alike were exposed to danger.
A copy of the petition was presented to the District Assembly and the Navrongo Traditional Council.
Responding to the demands of the students, the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Arts, Dr Kenneth B. Pelig-Ba, expressed regret at the action of the students as management was in constant touch with their leadership.
On the issue of IT service, he said the service provider informed management that due to ongoing upgrading works, the server had developed a fault and that efforts were underway to restore service.
On the inadequate furniture, Dr Pelig-Ba blamed the students for constantly removing the furniture from the lecture rooms to their hostels and other parts of the campus under the guise of studying , adding that he sometimes had to carry chairs himself to the lecture halls.
He, however, admitted that the campus was very weedy and blamed it on poor supervision and gave the assurance that the situation would be addressed.
On the NHIS, he said 3rd and 4th year students had been registered and the rest of them were yet to be registered.
He said management would take up the issue to ensure that the rest of the students were enrolled in the scheme.
The Dean promised that the management of the university would meet soon to find solutions to the concerns raised by the students to facilitate studies on campus.
QUEUES AT BOLGA FILLING STATIONS REDUCING (Daily Graphic, Saturday, November 8, 2008 PAGE 23)
THE long queues at the various fuel filling stations in Bolgatanga and Navrongo, which were the result of the shortage of fuel in the area have started disappearing, following the arrival of supplies.
Most fuel station managers had reported on Monday that they had run short of supplies and that had led to the disruption of transport services in the municipality.
Commuters have to walk long distances while motorists have been hopping from one fuel station to the other in search of petroleum products.
While motorists have been accusing the managers of the fuel filling stations of hoarding the products due to the announcement of a reduction in prices, the managers have denied this, stressing that they have genuinely run out of stock.
A visit to some filling stations on Thursday indicated that fuel tankers had been supplying the stations with their products.
It would be recalled that the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) announced a 10.02 per cent reduction in petrol and 8.46 per cent reduction in diesel.
After the announcement of the reduction in fuel prices last Saturday, filling stations at Bolgatanga stopped selling fuel with the excuse that they did not have supplies.
A few taxi drivers who had fuel took advantage of the situation to hike their fares.
For instance, last Tuesday,the fare for a journey from the main taxi rank to the Bolgatanga Hospital which used be 40 pesewas per passenger, increased to GH¢3.
Besides, instead of picking four passengers, some of the taxi drivers resorted to picking six passengers. The situation has, however, began normalising.
At the NASONA Filling Station in the Bolgatanga municipality, a tanker was seen discharging petroleum products. An attendant at the station told the Daily Graphic that they would sell both diesel and petrol to motorists at the new prices.
A driver who spoke to this reporter said with the arrival of the products, he was hopeful that the right fares would be charged.
Most fuel station managers had reported on Monday that they had run short of supplies and that had led to the disruption of transport services in the municipality.
Commuters have to walk long distances while motorists have been hopping from one fuel station to the other in search of petroleum products.
While motorists have been accusing the managers of the fuel filling stations of hoarding the products due to the announcement of a reduction in prices, the managers have denied this, stressing that they have genuinely run out of stock.
A visit to some filling stations on Thursday indicated that fuel tankers had been supplying the stations with their products.
It would be recalled that the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) announced a 10.02 per cent reduction in petrol and 8.46 per cent reduction in diesel.
After the announcement of the reduction in fuel prices last Saturday, filling stations at Bolgatanga stopped selling fuel with the excuse that they did not have supplies.
A few taxi drivers who had fuel took advantage of the situation to hike their fares.
For instance, last Tuesday,the fare for a journey from the main taxi rank to the Bolgatanga Hospital which used be 40 pesewas per passenger, increased to GH¢3.
Besides, instead of picking four passengers, some of the taxi drivers resorted to picking six passengers. The situation has, however, began normalising.
At the NASONA Filling Station in the Bolgatanga municipality, a tanker was seen discharging petroleum products. An attendant at the station told the Daily Graphic that they would sell both diesel and petrol to motorists at the new prices.
A driver who spoke to this reporter said with the arrival of the products, he was hopeful that the right fares would be charged.
Thursday, 6 November 2008
"Police personnel must exhibit professionalism"(Daily Graphic, Wednesday, November 5, 2008 Page 17)
PictureDCOP Hamidu Mahama (second from right) leads the pack of police personnel in an endurance walk to psychologically prepare for the December elections
THE Upper East Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, has advised police personnel in the region to exhibit a high sense of professional discipline and competence to win the confidence and sympathy of the public.
Police personnel, he said, should refrain from acts that would impugn the credibility and dignity of the profession.
DCOP Mahama gave the advise last Saturday after he had led officers and men of the service to embark on a three-hour endurance walk through the principal streets of Bolgatanga.
The exercise was also to create awareness on preparedness of the Ghana Police Service to ensure that the ongoing electioneering and the general election are conducted peacefully.
DCOP Mahama cautioned that anyone caught for causing trouble, prior to or during the election, would be treated as an individual criminal and not a member of any political party.
He asked political parties to adhere to the electoral laws as well as the Public Order Act in order to safeguard the prevailing peace.
DCOP Mahama proposed that to ensure peace before, during and after the elections, all stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission (EC), the media, security services, political parties, civil society and Ghanaians in general should play their respective roles effectively.
The Regional Police Command, he added, was adequately resourced both logistically and in terms of personnel, adding that very soon the region would take delivery of more logistics, which would be deployed to ensure that people who were preparing to undermine the process were brought to book.
The exercise, he indicated, would be replicated in major towns such as Navrongo, Sandema and Bawku to demonstrate the readiness of the police to deal with all election-related violence.
.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Revamp meat factory.... Zuarungu Chief appeals to gov't (Daily Graphic Monday, November 3, 2008 Page 24/25
The chief of Zuarungu has appealed to government to re-open the Zuarungu meat factory.Naba Charles Ayamga, chief of Zuarungu made the appeal at the end of the N’daakoya Festival. He also commended the government and non-governmental organizations for undertaking various development projects in the area.He appealed especially to the government to take steps towards job creation in the area. Furthermore, he called on the government to keep its promise and improve the road network in Zuarungu to facilitate commercial activities in the area.Naba Ayamga also asked for support for the traditional authority’s efforts at constructing an ICT centre and a community library.He stressed the need for a clean campaign in this year’s elections which should be based on issues and track records so that the electorate can choose freely who would best serve their interests.Dr Mahamudu Bawumia who was present told to the people of Zuarungu that one of the reasons why he is running on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is his commitment to help bridge the development gap between the north and the south and also to help in the elimination of poverty.In his address, the Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama asked for another term for the NPP to continue the successes in effecting a positive change in the lives of Ghanaians.
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
BAWUMIA TOURS 'OVERSEAS' AREAS ...Journalists escape unhurt at Doninga (Daily Graphic Tuesday, November 4, 2008 PAGE 17)
Journalists covering New Patriotic Party vice-presidential candidate Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign tour of the Upper East Region escaped injury by the skin of their teeth last Sunday when some unruly persons, under the cover of darkness hurled stones at the bus conveying them.
The incident occurred at Doninga in the Builsa District at about 8:45 p.m. The glass of the side door of the bus with registration number ER 7058 X was smashed but fortunately no one was hurt.
The attack came moments after the vice-presidential hopeful had finished addressing a mini rally in the community.
Dr Bawumia was in the community to address a rally as part of the party's campaign towards the December 7, 2008 elction.
The incident came just as the bus was about to set off together with other vehicles in the convoy to the next destination. The perpetrators took opportunity of the prevailing darkness to carry out the act.
Frantic search of the immediate surroundings by the police and the journalists for the perpetrators did not yield any results as no arrest was made.
The incident brought to the fore the issue of whether it was safe for political parties to hold rallies beyond 6 pm.
Speaking to a large gathering of supporters of the NPP in various communities in the West Mamprusi District of the Northern Region and
the Builsa District in the Upper East Region on Sunday, Dr Bawumia recounted the history of the party, and said that the Danquah-Busia tradition took its roots from the Northern People’s Party.
He traced the party's roots to eminent northerners like Chief S. D. Dombo, Abeyifa Karbo, Mumuni Bawumia and Jato Kaleo. Dr Bawumia, therefore, called on northerners in other parties to come on board the NPP to enable the party's dream of bridging the gap between the north and south to be realised.
He used the occasion to reiterate that a one billion cedi Northern Development Fund was in the offing and stressed that a Northern Development Authority would be set up to manage it.
He called on the people in the region to vote Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP MPs into power to help speed up the development projects in their respective areas.
Communities visited included Kubori, Yagaba, Loagri Number 1 and Yizesi in the Northern Region which are popularly referred to as overseas. The rest were Gbedema, Fumbisi, Kadema, Doninga and Chuchuliga in the Builsa District.
He also interacted with some students of the Navrongo Campus of the University for Development Studies, where he advised the youth to rally behind the party.
In all the communities visited, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia said the vision of Nana Akufo-Addo was to help develop the Upper West, Upper East and Northern regions, adding that this would help bridge the development gap between the northern and southern parts of Ghana.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said he was optimistic that the electorate would retain the NPP due to the good work of the Kufuor administration in the past seven-and-half years.
Dr Bawumia said when voted into office, the major priorities of Nana Akufo-Addo would be education, agriculture and youth development and urged the electorate to vote for the NPP to enable it continue with its good programmes and policies.
He said when elected to power, the NPP government led by Nana Akufo-Addo would modernise agriculture.
The NPP administration would also focus on the sheanut industry just as had been done to the cocoa industry through the establishment of the Sheanut Marketing Board, to assist farmers in the Northern Region.
He also promised that small and micro loans would be provided to assist people, especially women, to engage in small and medium-scale businesses.
At Yagaba-Kubori, Dr Bawunia assured the people of a new district when NPP is voted into power. He also promised to provide a new senior high school for the people of Chuchuliga.
He was accompanied by the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari; Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, and some regional and national executives of the party.
The incident occurred at Doninga in the Builsa District at about 8:45 p.m. The glass of the side door of the bus with registration number ER 7058 X was smashed but fortunately no one was hurt.
The attack came moments after the vice-presidential hopeful had finished addressing a mini rally in the community.
Dr Bawumia was in the community to address a rally as part of the party's campaign towards the December 7, 2008 elction.
The incident came just as the bus was about to set off together with other vehicles in the convoy to the next destination. The perpetrators took opportunity of the prevailing darkness to carry out the act.
Frantic search of the immediate surroundings by the police and the journalists for the perpetrators did not yield any results as no arrest was made.
The incident brought to the fore the issue of whether it was safe for political parties to hold rallies beyond 6 pm.
Speaking to a large gathering of supporters of the NPP in various communities in the West Mamprusi District of the Northern Region and
the Builsa District in the Upper East Region on Sunday, Dr Bawumia recounted the history of the party, and said that the Danquah-Busia tradition took its roots from the Northern People’s Party.
He traced the party's roots to eminent northerners like Chief S. D. Dombo, Abeyifa Karbo, Mumuni Bawumia and Jato Kaleo. Dr Bawumia, therefore, called on northerners in other parties to come on board the NPP to enable the party's dream of bridging the gap between the north and south to be realised.
He used the occasion to reiterate that a one billion cedi Northern Development Fund was in the offing and stressed that a Northern Development Authority would be set up to manage it.
He called on the people in the region to vote Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP MPs into power to help speed up the development projects in their respective areas.
Communities visited included Kubori, Yagaba, Loagri Number 1 and Yizesi in the Northern Region which are popularly referred to as overseas. The rest were Gbedema, Fumbisi, Kadema, Doninga and Chuchuliga in the Builsa District.
He also interacted with some students of the Navrongo Campus of the University for Development Studies, where he advised the youth to rally behind the party.
In all the communities visited, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia said the vision of Nana Akufo-Addo was to help develop the Upper West, Upper East and Northern regions, adding that this would help bridge the development gap between the northern and southern parts of Ghana.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said he was optimistic that the electorate would retain the NPP due to the good work of the Kufuor administration in the past seven-and-half years.
Dr Bawumia said when voted into office, the major priorities of Nana Akufo-Addo would be education, agriculture and youth development and urged the electorate to vote for the NPP to enable it continue with its good programmes and policies.
He said when elected to power, the NPP government led by Nana Akufo-Addo would modernise agriculture.
The NPP administration would also focus on the sheanut industry just as had been done to the cocoa industry through the establishment of the Sheanut Marketing Board, to assist farmers in the Northern Region.
He also promised that small and micro loans would be provided to assist people, especially women, to engage in small and medium-scale businesses.
At Yagaba-Kubori, Dr Bawunia assured the people of a new district when NPP is voted into power. He also promised to provide a new senior high school for the people of Chuchuliga.
He was accompanied by the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari; Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, and some regional and national executives of the party.
MOTHERS URGED TO PRACTICE EXCLUSIVE BREAST FEEDING (Daily Graphic Saturday November 1, 2008 PAGE 11)
The Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr John Koku Awoonor-Williams, has advised nursing mothers to co-operate with health personnel to ensure the success of the exclusive breast feeding policy, as required by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
According to him, breast milk contained all the nutrients needed for growth and development during the first months of life.
He also said apart from promoting the health of infants, breast feeding strengthened the bond of love between mother and child.
Speaking at the launch of the Upper East Regional Breast Feeding Week at Zebilla in the Bawku West District, Dr Awoonor-Williams said “Exclusive breast feeding for the first six months ensures that the infant receives the maximum health and nutritional benefits from breast milk”.
He also said breast milk strengthened the development of the infant’s defence system and reduced the risk of many common childhood illnesses and acute respiratory tract infections.
He commended organisations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Ghana Red Cross Society and the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) for collaborating with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to encourage exclusive breast feeding among nursing mothers.
In an address read on his behalf, the Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, indicated that the region had designated 31 health facilities in the region as ‘Baby Friendly’, making it the region with the highest number of the facility in the country.
He pointed out that the ‘Baby-friendly’ health facilities provide quality health care service to enhance the health of babies and nursing mothers.
He, however, indicated that despite the availability of these facilities some misconception about the benefits of exclusive breast feeding does not encourage some nursing mothers to practice the system.
Mr Samari, therefore, entreated all municipal and district assemblies to support programmes to promote exclusive breast feeding to meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) recommendation that requires mothers to exclusively breast feed their children for the first six months of life.
According to him failure of mothers to offer the first yellowish breast milk to babies soon after delivery, and rather administer water and in some cases herbs to babies was not a healthy practice.
According to him, breast milk contained all the nutrients needed for growth and development during the first months of life.
He also said apart from promoting the health of infants, breast feeding strengthened the bond of love between mother and child.
Speaking at the launch of the Upper East Regional Breast Feeding Week at Zebilla in the Bawku West District, Dr Awoonor-Williams said “Exclusive breast feeding for the first six months ensures that the infant receives the maximum health and nutritional benefits from breast milk”.
He also said breast milk strengthened the development of the infant’s defence system and reduced the risk of many common childhood illnesses and acute respiratory tract infections.
He commended organisations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Ghana Red Cross Society and the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) for collaborating with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to encourage exclusive breast feeding among nursing mothers.
In an address read on his behalf, the Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, indicated that the region had designated 31 health facilities in the region as ‘Baby Friendly’, making it the region with the highest number of the facility in the country.
He pointed out that the ‘Baby-friendly’ health facilities provide quality health care service to enhance the health of babies and nursing mothers.
He, however, indicated that despite the availability of these facilities some misconception about the benefits of exclusive breast feeding does not encourage some nursing mothers to practice the system.
Mr Samari, therefore, entreated all municipal and district assemblies to support programmes to promote exclusive breast feeding to meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) recommendation that requires mothers to exclusively breast feed their children for the first six months of life.
According to him failure of mothers to offer the first yellowish breast milk to babies soon after delivery, and rather administer water and in some cases herbs to babies was not a healthy practice.
Monday, 3 November 2008
KOFI ADDA, VEEP'S ALLY FIGHT AT NPP RALLY (Daily Graphic; Monday ,November 3, 2008 PAGE 16)
AN exchange of blows between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Navrongo Central, Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, and a close ally of the Vice- President, Aliu Mahama, Mr Adams Mahama, marred a heavily patronised rally of the party in Navrongo on Saturday.
Police personnel and party officials had to apply tact and diplomacy to prevent the fight from spreading among supporters of the two combatants who had earlier engaged in open and intense verbal attacks, hecklings, violent pushes and shoves before the punches and slaps.
Some of the important personalities on the dais, where the incident occurred told the Daily Graphic that Mr Adda failed to acknowledge the Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, who was also part of the entourage of the party’s running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, in whose honour the rally was held.
They told the Daily Graphic that when Mr Adda refused to acknowledge the Vice- President during and after his speech, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, the National Campaign Manager for the NPP, proceeded to ask the MP why he did not acknowledge the presence of the Vice-President, the running-mate and other party officials.
The sources said Mr Adda reportedly complained to Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey that most of the leading members of the party hated him, thus there was no need for him to exchange pleasantries with any of them.
This response was said to have sparked an exchange of words between the Vice-President and the MP, which did not go down well with the Vice-President’s close ally Mr Adams Mahama, who then engaged Mr Adda in some physical exchanges.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic later at the residency, Mr Adams appologised for the unfortunate incident, but attributed everything to an alleged use of unsavoury words on the Vice-President by Mr Adda.
According to him, after Mr Adda had finished addressing the crowd, he refused to go back to the Vice President to shake hands as the other parliamentary candidates and speakers who had preceded him had done.
He said when Mr Adda was prevailed upon by party leaders on the high table to go back and exchange pleasantries with him, he used some unprintable words on the Vice-President,
“I, Adam Mahama, will prefer to die than to seat there and watch Kofi Adda insult the sitting Vice-President of the land,” he said.
“So, I approached him and asked him why he used those words on the Vice-President, but he (Kofi) told me I should not be stupid. He tried to hold me, but I pushed him aside and this led to the scuffle,” Adams said.
In the ensuing melee, a journalist with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Eric Amoh, who was covering the rally, was assaulted by a section of the crowd. Mr Amoh, who later lodged a report at the Bolgatanga Municipal Police Station, was issued with Police Medical Form for diagnosis and treatment at the hospital.
Efforts to reach Mr Adda, who was whisked away from the rally grounds immediately by his supporters for his comments, proved futile as several calls to his cell phone were not responded to.
The Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Mahama Hamidu, who was present at the rally grounds, declined to comment when he was approached.
Police personnel and party officials had to apply tact and diplomacy to prevent the fight from spreading among supporters of the two combatants who had earlier engaged in open and intense verbal attacks, hecklings, violent pushes and shoves before the punches and slaps.
Some of the important personalities on the dais, where the incident occurred told the Daily Graphic that Mr Adda failed to acknowledge the Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, who was also part of the entourage of the party’s running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, in whose honour the rally was held.
They told the Daily Graphic that when Mr Adda refused to acknowledge the Vice- President during and after his speech, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, the National Campaign Manager for the NPP, proceeded to ask the MP why he did not acknowledge the presence of the Vice-President, the running-mate and other party officials.
The sources said Mr Adda reportedly complained to Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey that most of the leading members of the party hated him, thus there was no need for him to exchange pleasantries with any of them.
This response was said to have sparked an exchange of words between the Vice-President and the MP, which did not go down well with the Vice-President’s close ally Mr Adams Mahama, who then engaged Mr Adda in some physical exchanges.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic later at the residency, Mr Adams appologised for the unfortunate incident, but attributed everything to an alleged use of unsavoury words on the Vice-President by Mr Adda.
According to him, after Mr Adda had finished addressing the crowd, he refused to go back to the Vice President to shake hands as the other parliamentary candidates and speakers who had preceded him had done.
He said when Mr Adda was prevailed upon by party leaders on the high table to go back and exchange pleasantries with him, he used some unprintable words on the Vice-President,
“I, Adam Mahama, will prefer to die than to seat there and watch Kofi Adda insult the sitting Vice-President of the land,” he said.
“So, I approached him and asked him why he used those words on the Vice-President, but he (Kofi) told me I should not be stupid. He tried to hold me, but I pushed him aside and this led to the scuffle,” Adams said.
In the ensuing melee, a journalist with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Eric Amoh, who was covering the rally, was assaulted by a section of the crowd. Mr Amoh, who later lodged a report at the Bolgatanga Municipal Police Station, was issued with Police Medical Form for diagnosis and treatment at the hospital.
Efforts to reach Mr Adda, who was whisked away from the rally grounds immediately by his supporters for his comments, proved futile as several calls to his cell phone were not responded to.
The Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Mahama Hamidu, who was present at the rally grounds, declined to comment when he was approached.
ENSURE PASSAGE OF NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT FUND LEGISLATION (Daily Graphic Saturday November 1, 2008 PAGE 22)
THE Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA), an advocacy group based in the Upper East Region, has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) from the three northern regions to ensure that the legislative instrument on the Northern Development Fund (NDF) is passed before it dissolves.
The NDF with seed money of GH¢25 million was announced in the 2008 budget following the floods that hit the three northern regions in 2007, to pay special attention to the development needs of the northern parts of Ghana.
Addressing a news conference in Bolgatanga, the President of NORPRA, Mr Bismark Ayorogo Adongo, commended the government for its vision.
He, however, stated that although the money was woefully inadequate to fast track the bridging of the development gap between the north and the south, it was a practical demonstration of the government’s commitment to ensure a balanced development of the nation.
He said “Now that the executive arm of government has marshalled the political will to declare this heart warming policy, it behoves MPs from the north to support the process of the passage of the bill.”
“What prevents Parliament, especially the northern caucus, from marshalling the political will and pushing for the legislation? I guess the answer is that they are simply not interested in our welfare. They spend much of the time outside Parliament attending to personal issues and campaigning vigorously just to once again ride on the back of the ordinary man to power, expand the power and sustain it for personal gains,” he said.
According to Mr Adongo, the successful implementation of the policy would not only give hope to the hopeless and put smile on the faces of the poor and vulnerable groups in society through improved conditions of lives, but would also support the country’s efforts at achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
“The fund has very huge potential of adequately addressing the high rates of unemployment, illiteracy, malnutrition, bad road network, conflict, ignorance and disease in the north; nothing must therefore be done to sweep it under the carpet”, he said.
The NORPRA President therefore called on the northern parliamentary caucus to put aside their partisan interests and speed up the passage of the bill to ensure the implementation of the programmes of the Northern Development Fund.
The NDF with seed money of GH¢25 million was announced in the 2008 budget following the floods that hit the three northern regions in 2007, to pay special attention to the development needs of the northern parts of Ghana.
Addressing a news conference in Bolgatanga, the President of NORPRA, Mr Bismark Ayorogo Adongo, commended the government for its vision.
He, however, stated that although the money was woefully inadequate to fast track the bridging of the development gap between the north and the south, it was a practical demonstration of the government’s commitment to ensure a balanced development of the nation.
He said “Now that the executive arm of government has marshalled the political will to declare this heart warming policy, it behoves MPs from the north to support the process of the passage of the bill.”
“What prevents Parliament, especially the northern caucus, from marshalling the political will and pushing for the legislation? I guess the answer is that they are simply not interested in our welfare. They spend much of the time outside Parliament attending to personal issues and campaigning vigorously just to once again ride on the back of the ordinary man to power, expand the power and sustain it for personal gains,” he said.
According to Mr Adongo, the successful implementation of the policy would not only give hope to the hopeless and put smile on the faces of the poor and vulnerable groups in society through improved conditions of lives, but would also support the country’s efforts at achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
“The fund has very huge potential of adequately addressing the high rates of unemployment, illiteracy, malnutrition, bad road network, conflict, ignorance and disease in the north; nothing must therefore be done to sweep it under the carpet”, he said.
The NORPRA President therefore called on the northern parliamentary caucus to put aside their partisan interests and speed up the passage of the bill to ensure the implementation of the programmes of the Northern Development Fund.
UPPER EAST WOMEN COMMITTED TO PEACEFUL ELECTIONS (Daily Graphic Saturday November 1, 2008 PAGE 11)
PARTICIPANTS at a forum on women’s contribution to peaceful elections in December, this year, have called on all political parties to ensure that this year’s election campaigns by the various political parties in the Upper East Region are devoid of violence.
They have also cautioned the leaders of the various political parties to advise their supporters to avoid any form of activity that could lead to violence and tension in the region before, during and after the general election.
The forum was organised by the Upper East Regional Office of the Department of Women with support from the Sustainable Peace Initiative.
It was attended by members of the Regional Women’s Organisers of the various political parties, female parliamentary candidates, gender desk officers as well as convenors for gender select committee from the Talensi-Nabdam, Kassena-Nankana, Bawku and Bolgatanga municipalities and media practitioners.
In a presentation, the Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Women, Ms Paulina Abayage, noted that since women and children formed a greater percentage of the country’s population they would be greatly affected if there was an outbreak of violence in the country.
She appealed to politicians to avoid insults during their campaigns and concentrate on issues, since their ultimate goal was to win power to create a conducive atmosphere for the country’s development, stressing that since women and children bore the brunt of political tension, that situation must be avoided.
“If peace is to be long lasting, then it is necessary to re-examine the concept of peace to include women at its centre rather than the periphery,” she said.
At the end of the forum, participants appealed to all political parties to refrain from using the youth to foment trouble.
They also entreated leaders of all political parties to adhere to the political parties’ code of conducts to avoid acts of violence.
Meanwhile, the participants have resolved to work closely with the Department of Women to embark on sensitisation programmes in some communities, including Bawku, which recently experienced tribal conflict to educate people on the need for peaceful elections.
The sensitisation programme is aimed at engaging chiefs and opinion leaders to dialogue to find constructive and active ways to promote peace in their communities during and after the elections.
They have also cautioned the leaders of the various political parties to advise their supporters to avoid any form of activity that could lead to violence and tension in the region before, during and after the general election.
The forum was organised by the Upper East Regional Office of the Department of Women with support from the Sustainable Peace Initiative.
It was attended by members of the Regional Women’s Organisers of the various political parties, female parliamentary candidates, gender desk officers as well as convenors for gender select committee from the Talensi-Nabdam, Kassena-Nankana, Bawku and Bolgatanga municipalities and media practitioners.
In a presentation, the Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Women, Ms Paulina Abayage, noted that since women and children formed a greater percentage of the country’s population they would be greatly affected if there was an outbreak of violence in the country.
She appealed to politicians to avoid insults during their campaigns and concentrate on issues, since their ultimate goal was to win power to create a conducive atmosphere for the country’s development, stressing that since women and children bore the brunt of political tension, that situation must be avoided.
“If peace is to be long lasting, then it is necessary to re-examine the concept of peace to include women at its centre rather than the periphery,” she said.
At the end of the forum, participants appealed to all political parties to refrain from using the youth to foment trouble.
They also entreated leaders of all political parties to adhere to the political parties’ code of conducts to avoid acts of violence.
Meanwhile, the participants have resolved to work closely with the Department of Women to embark on sensitisation programmes in some communities, including Bawku, which recently experienced tribal conflict to educate people on the need for peaceful elections.
The sensitisation programme is aimed at engaging chiefs and opinion leaders to dialogue to find constructive and active ways to promote peace in their communities during and after the elections.
Thursday, 30 October 2008
BAWKU CENTRAL CPP CANDIDATE ACCUSES SITTING MP (Daily Graphic, Wednesday October 29, 2008 PAGE 17)
The Convention People’s Party (CPP) parliamentary candidate for Bawku Central, Ms Rodaline Imoro Ayarna, has accused the sitting MP for the area for failing to fulfil his promises to the electorate, urging them to vote him out.
"For me, I think Mahama Ayariga has failed the people. He made promises he has not delivered. Promises of employment for the youth, as well as general development which has not been honoured and I think its time for a change," she said.
While conceding that the work of a parliamentarian is not to provide infrastructure, she said it behoved the MP to use his or her influence to lobby all sides for development projects.
"It takes a good lobbyist to be able to bring the kind of development that Bawku needs and I can assure you that when elected as the next MP for Bawku, the area will see rapid development," she said.
She catologued the growing youth unemployment, poor sanitation and lack of potable water as some of the major setbacks to the development of the Northern Region.
According to Ms Ayarna there was virtually no economic activity available to the youth.
"Bawku is one place that is supposed to be the second largest revenue earner for the country after Aflao because of the enormous activities between Ghana and her Sahelian neighbours, yet the people of the area are impoverished".
The CPP aspirant, who was speaking to journalists in Bolgatanga, said when elected, she would reverse the trend.
On sanitation, she said when elected she would lead her people to ensure regular clean-up exercises to keep the place clean and eradicate illnesses such as malaria and cholera.
She appealed to her constituents to see how conflict had destroyed all facets of life in Bawku, and urged them to eschew all forms of violence and embrace peace before, during and after the December 2008 general election .
"For me, I think Mahama Ayariga has failed the people. He made promises he has not delivered. Promises of employment for the youth, as well as general development which has not been honoured and I think its time for a change," she said.
While conceding that the work of a parliamentarian is not to provide infrastructure, she said it behoved the MP to use his or her influence to lobby all sides for development projects.
"It takes a good lobbyist to be able to bring the kind of development that Bawku needs and I can assure you that when elected as the next MP for Bawku, the area will see rapid development," she said.
She catologued the growing youth unemployment, poor sanitation and lack of potable water as some of the major setbacks to the development of the Northern Region.
According to Ms Ayarna there was virtually no economic activity available to the youth.
"Bawku is one place that is supposed to be the second largest revenue earner for the country after Aflao because of the enormous activities between Ghana and her Sahelian neighbours, yet the people of the area are impoverished".
The CPP aspirant, who was speaking to journalists in Bolgatanga, said when elected, she would reverse the trend.
On sanitation, she said when elected she would lead her people to ensure regular clean-up exercises to keep the place clean and eradicate illnesses such as malaria and cholera.
She appealed to her constituents to see how conflict had destroyed all facets of life in Bawku, and urged them to eschew all forms of violence and embrace peace before, during and after the December 2008 general election .
Sunday, 26 October 2008
GH¢287.030 BAWKU WATER PROJECTS NEAR COMPLETION (Daily Graphic,Monday, October 27, 2008 PAGE 40)
WATER and sanitation projects for some communities in the Bawku Municipality in the Upper East Region are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The projects are estimated at GH¢287,030.
One of the projects, known as the Bazua Small Town Water System, has sanitation component, which includes the construction of five institutional latrines and 120 household latrines at Bazua in the Bawku Municipality. The project is being executed by China Henan Geo Construction.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Abdulai Abanga, announced this at the first ordinary meeting of the fourth session of the Bawku Municipality Assembly at Bawku.
He said Oxfam, a British non-governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the Zuuri Organic Vegetable Farmers Association, had also constructed 13 hand-dug wells fitted with hand pumps for seven deprived communities in the Binduri area.
The beneficiary communities include Narang Song, Kumpalgogo Tebako and Komnatinga.
Others are Apomyamiri, Tansala and Zuuri.
"It is hoped that in the not too distant future, all communities without potable water will be provided with some as plans are underway under the President's priority projects," he added.
The MCE further stated that over the past one year, the assembly had spent GH¢917,689,64 on development projects.
Mr Abanga said even though peace and security were prerequisite for development, the municipality began the 2008 on a very bad note as a result of the Bawku communal conflict, which shattered the Assembly’s development aspirations by throwing the assembly's budget out of gear.
He noted that the communal violence that engulfed the municipality at the beginning of the year had brought a lot of hardships not only on the people of Bawku, but more especially on the assembly as it had to channel all its resources in restoring peace.
"While other districts have made judicious use of funds allocated to them by the central government to the benefit of society, our share of the funds and even those from other sources were used to maintain law and order to ensure that the integrity of the municipality is protected ," Mr Abanga said.
According to the MCE, a total of more than GH¢300,000 was spent to manage the turbulent situation in order to restore peace which is very vital for socio-economic.
He said despite all the initiatives at ensuring peace, a lot more depended on the people of Bawku to ensure that never again should they restore to violence.
"We must be peacemakers ourselves and bring peace back. We love and want peace but do not want to embrace it willingly.
Let us therefore try to bury the differences of yesterday, halt the problems of today
and move with the opportunities of tomorrow to bring Bawku back to its rightful place in the national sphere," Mr Abanga stressed.
The Presiding Member of the Assembly, John Agobre, descried the Bawku conflict as the darkest period in the municipality and hoped never again would such a thing happen there.
The projects are estimated at GH¢287,030.
One of the projects, known as the Bazua Small Town Water System, has sanitation component, which includes the construction of five institutional latrines and 120 household latrines at Bazua in the Bawku Municipality. The project is being executed by China Henan Geo Construction.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Abdulai Abanga, announced this at the first ordinary meeting of the fourth session of the Bawku Municipality Assembly at Bawku.
He said Oxfam, a British non-governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the Zuuri Organic Vegetable Farmers Association, had also constructed 13 hand-dug wells fitted with hand pumps for seven deprived communities in the Binduri area.
The beneficiary communities include Narang Song, Kumpalgogo Tebako and Komnatinga.
Others are Apomyamiri, Tansala and Zuuri.
"It is hoped that in the not too distant future, all communities without potable water will be provided with some as plans are underway under the President's priority projects," he added.
The MCE further stated that over the past one year, the assembly had spent GH¢917,689,64 on development projects.
Mr Abanga said even though peace and security were prerequisite for development, the municipality began the 2008 on a very bad note as a result of the Bawku communal conflict, which shattered the Assembly’s development aspirations by throwing the assembly's budget out of gear.
He noted that the communal violence that engulfed the municipality at the beginning of the year had brought a lot of hardships not only on the people of Bawku, but more especially on the assembly as it had to channel all its resources in restoring peace.
"While other districts have made judicious use of funds allocated to them by the central government to the benefit of society, our share of the funds and even those from other sources were used to maintain law and order to ensure that the integrity of the municipality is protected ," Mr Abanga said.
According to the MCE, a total of more than GH¢300,000 was spent to manage the turbulent situation in order to restore peace which is very vital for socio-economic.
He said despite all the initiatives at ensuring peace, a lot more depended on the people of Bawku to ensure that never again should they restore to violence.
"We must be peacemakers ourselves and bring peace back. We love and want peace but do not want to embrace it willingly.
Let us therefore try to bury the differences of yesterday, halt the problems of today
and move with the opportunities of tomorrow to bring Bawku back to its rightful place in the national sphere," Mr Abanga stressed.
The Presiding Member of the Assembly, John Agobre, descried the Bawku conflict as the darkest period in the municipality and hoped never again would such a thing happen there.
5 UE DAMS TO BE REHABILITATED (Daily Graphic,Monday, October 27, 2008 PAGE 40)
FIVE dams in the Bawku West District in the Upper East Region are to be rehabilitated under the 2007 Northern Floods Rehabilitation Project.
They are the Boya Kpalsako, Yarigu, Goziesi, Sakom and Sapelliga dams.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Desmond Bugbilla, announced this at the assembly’s second ordinary meeting this year at Zebilla, the district capital.
He said work on the project, which had already been advertised, would soon commence to bring relief to the people.
Mr Bugbilla said in addition to the dams’ rehabilitation, 11 boreholes and 17 hand-dug wells had been awarded on contract for disinfection and rehabilitation.
He was happy about the rapid development of the area, which he attributed to the hard work and dedication of the assembly members and the decentralised departments.
The DCE also commended the government for providing Bawku West District with its fair share of development projects.
According to him, two projects had been approved for execution in the district under the second phase of the sixth European Union Micro-Projects Programme.
He said the projects were the construction of a three-unit classroom block with office, store and toilet facilities at Yelwoko and a teachers’ quarters at Kpantarigu.
He advised assembly members of the beneficiary communities to impress upon their people to co-operate with the contractors undertaking the projects to ensure their early completion.
The Presiding Member of the assembly, Very Reverend (Dr) Jacob Ayeebo, said all development projects being undertaken in the area were progressing steadily due to the practical support offered by the entire membership of the assembly.
"Development, as we all know, is a co-operative work and, for that reason, let us continue to pursue the many opportunities lying ahead," he said.
The Very Rev. Ayeebo called on his colleague Assembly members to continue with their vision to build a district rooted in peace and reconciliation, justice and support for the poor and vulnerable in society.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Mr John Ndebugre, entreated all and sundry to “let us debate issues and not hurl insults at each other," he stressed.
They are the Boya Kpalsako, Yarigu, Goziesi, Sakom and Sapelliga dams.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Desmond Bugbilla, announced this at the assembly’s second ordinary meeting this year at Zebilla, the district capital.
He said work on the project, which had already been advertised, would soon commence to bring relief to the people.
Mr Bugbilla said in addition to the dams’ rehabilitation, 11 boreholes and 17 hand-dug wells had been awarded on contract for disinfection and rehabilitation.
He was happy about the rapid development of the area, which he attributed to the hard work and dedication of the assembly members and the decentralised departments.
The DCE also commended the government for providing Bawku West District with its fair share of development projects.
According to him, two projects had been approved for execution in the district under the second phase of the sixth European Union Micro-Projects Programme.
He said the projects were the construction of a three-unit classroom block with office, store and toilet facilities at Yelwoko and a teachers’ quarters at Kpantarigu.
He advised assembly members of the beneficiary communities to impress upon their people to co-operate with the contractors undertaking the projects to ensure their early completion.
The Presiding Member of the assembly, Very Reverend (Dr) Jacob Ayeebo, said all development projects being undertaken in the area were progressing steadily due to the practical support offered by the entire membership of the assembly.
"Development, as we all know, is a co-operative work and, for that reason, let us continue to pursue the many opportunities lying ahead," he said.
The Very Rev. Ayeebo called on his colleague Assembly members to continue with their vision to build a district rooted in peace and reconciliation, justice and support for the poor and vulnerable in society.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Mr John Ndebugre, entreated all and sundry to “let us debate issues and not hurl insults at each other," he stressed.
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