Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Benjamin
A number of office equipment, including computers and photocopiers, as well as vital research files and documents, were destroyed when fire swept through one of the offices of the Navrongo Health Research Institute in the Kassena-Nankana District of the Upper East Region in the early hours of Friday.
So intense was the blaze that it took the joint effort of personnel of the Fire Service in Navrongo and Bolgatanga to bring the situation under control. Sources told the Daily Graphic that it took them about two and half hours to bring the situation under control.
The cause of the fire was not known at the time of filing this report.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on phone, the Director of the institute, Dr Abraham Hodgeson, said the fire started at 3.00 a.m. According to him, initially watchmen on duty attempted to fight the fire with the aid of fire extinguishers, while efforts were made to call in the District Fire Service.
He said the Regional Fire Office was also informed and the men arrived a short while later to complement the efforts of the District Fire Service.
Dr Hodgeson said the fire had caused great loss to the centre. He, however, gave the assurance that every necessary effort had been made to mitigate the effect it might have on the work of the centre.
He said officials of the Fire Service who had been to the scene had commenced investigations to ascertain the cause of the fire and estimate the total cost of destruction.
The Regional Fire Officer, Mr Johnson Abu, said his office received a distress call at 4.15 a.m. on Friday and immediately a fire engine was dispatched to Navrongo to assist in the fire fighting.
He said the absence of a hydrant at the centre and the faulty fire engine at the Navrongo Fire Station posed big challenges to the output of his men who eventually managed to bring the situation under control.
In a related development, another fire outbreak occurred at the Cotton Factory at Pusunamongo in the early hours of Friday.
According to Mr Abu, his office received a distress call at 4.30 a.m., just about the same time that the only fire engine had gone to assist fight the fire at Navrongo.
The service, therefore, had to rely on the fire engine at Bongo, which, unfortunately, developed a fault and broke down while it was on its way to Bolgatanga.
He said the only option left was to recall the Bolgatanga fire engine which had gone to Navrongo to return to Bolgatanga to help fight the fire, while contact was made with the Walewale Fire Service to help contain the situation.
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
BAWKU ASSEMBLY CONFIRMS NOMINEE (Page 15)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover,
The Bawku Municipal Assembly in the Upper East Region on Thursday confirmed the President's nominee, Mr Abdulai Abanga, as the new Municipal Chief Executive. He replaces Mr Abdul Rahman Gumah, who was recently relieved of his post by the President.
Mr Abanga, who until his nomination served as the Management Accountant with the Millennium Challenge Authority (MCA), polled 44 votes out of the total of 47 votes cast, representing 93 per cent in an election supervised by the Electoral Commission.
The Assembly Hall went into wild jubilation as soon as the results were declared.
Mr Abanga, was led by Mr Alex Owusu-Ofori, a Circuit Court Judge, to take the oath of office and allegiance.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Abanga promised to implement an open-door policy, indicating that as an assembly member of the municipality, he would not hesitate to consult members of the House and anybody who mattered in taking critical decisions that would affect the municipality.
He said his administration would be transparent and pledged to promote peace, unity and development in the area.
The 38-year-old chartered accountant said he would put his expertise to bear to improve on the assembly’s internal revenue generation while still ensuring that the revenue did not land in individual’s pockets.
He called on national and international organisations to come to the aid of the innocent people in the municipality who were victims of the recent ethnic conflict, indicating that most of them lost everything and were living with shattered hopes.
Prior to the elections, the Presiding Member of the Assembly, Mr John Agobre, expressed regret at the recent conflict that rocked the municipality, which, he said, claimed so many lives and properties.
The Bawku Municipal Assembly in the Upper East Region on Thursday confirmed the President's nominee, Mr Abdulai Abanga, as the new Municipal Chief Executive. He replaces Mr Abdul Rahman Gumah, who was recently relieved of his post by the President.
Mr Abanga, who until his nomination served as the Management Accountant with the Millennium Challenge Authority (MCA), polled 44 votes out of the total of 47 votes cast, representing 93 per cent in an election supervised by the Electoral Commission.
The Assembly Hall went into wild jubilation as soon as the results were declared.
Mr Abanga, was led by Mr Alex Owusu-Ofori, a Circuit Court Judge, to take the oath of office and allegiance.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Abanga promised to implement an open-door policy, indicating that as an assembly member of the municipality, he would not hesitate to consult members of the House and anybody who mattered in taking critical decisions that would affect the municipality.
He said his administration would be transparent and pledged to promote peace, unity and development in the area.
The 38-year-old chartered accountant said he would put his expertise to bear to improve on the assembly’s internal revenue generation while still ensuring that the revenue did not land in individual’s pockets.
He called on national and international organisations to come to the aid of the innocent people in the municipality who were victims of the recent ethnic conflict, indicating that most of them lost everything and were living with shattered hopes.
Prior to the elections, the Presiding Member of the Assembly, Mr John Agobre, expressed regret at the recent conflict that rocked the municipality, which, he said, claimed so many lives and properties.
PREZ COMMENDED FOR APPOINTING BUGBILLA (Page 15)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Zebilla
THE people of the Bawku West District in the Upper East Region have commended the President for appointing a youth as the political head of the district.
Mr Desmond Bugbilla, 32, replaces Mr Moses Abaare Appiah, who was recently relieved of his post by the President.
He polled 38 votes out of a total of 43 votes cast, representing 83 per cent in an election supervised by the Electoral Commission.
The Presiding Member of the assembly, Rev. Jacob Ayeebo, said this at Zebilla during a ceremony to confirm the President's nominee, and indicated that the appointment of a relatively young person to head the assembly was to set a good example for the youth in the area to aspire to greater heights.
"For the youth to be good leaders, they should be exposed to more than abstract concept, but must also be given responsibilities and allowed to make mistakes along the way as part of their overall learning process," he said
Rev. Ayeebo explained that the district had not got just an accountant with impeccable credentials as the DCE, but also a caring individual who would use his many skills and talents to serve the citizens of the district. He, therefore, called for total support for his administration.
He paid tribute to the immediate past DCE, Mr Moses Appiah Abaare, for his dedicated services to the assembly during his tenure of office and urged Mr Bugbilla to keep pace with the state of affairs.
Mr Bugbilla, in his acceptance speech, expressed his appreciation to members of the assembly for the confidence reposed in him, and said he was confident that with their support, he would succeed in moving the district development agenda forward.
"As your DCE, I will personally lead our district in promoting unity, tolerance, peace and harmony among all the people in the district to facilitate a speedy development, and I appeal to you to do same," he said.
Continuing, Mr Bugbilla said his leadership as the DCE had the challenge of sustaining the wonderful work done by his predecessor. "To sustain that progress, we must continue to work together on all fronts. We should tackle this challenge daily, working to make sure that our structures and sub-structures are functioning very well," he said.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, commended the assembly members for confirming the President's nominee, and expressed the hope that the DCE would work hard to enhance the development of the area.
The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs Agnes Chigabatia; Chief Director of the Upper East Regional Co-ordinating Council, Mr Samuel N'laari, and MP for Zebilla, Hon. John Ndebugre were among the dignitaries who witnessed the occasion.
THE people of the Bawku West District in the Upper East Region have commended the President for appointing a youth as the political head of the district.
Mr Desmond Bugbilla, 32, replaces Mr Moses Abaare Appiah, who was recently relieved of his post by the President.
He polled 38 votes out of a total of 43 votes cast, representing 83 per cent in an election supervised by the Electoral Commission.
The Presiding Member of the assembly, Rev. Jacob Ayeebo, said this at Zebilla during a ceremony to confirm the President's nominee, and indicated that the appointment of a relatively young person to head the assembly was to set a good example for the youth in the area to aspire to greater heights.
"For the youth to be good leaders, they should be exposed to more than abstract concept, but must also be given responsibilities and allowed to make mistakes along the way as part of their overall learning process," he said
Rev. Ayeebo explained that the district had not got just an accountant with impeccable credentials as the DCE, but also a caring individual who would use his many skills and talents to serve the citizens of the district. He, therefore, called for total support for his administration.
He paid tribute to the immediate past DCE, Mr Moses Appiah Abaare, for his dedicated services to the assembly during his tenure of office and urged Mr Bugbilla to keep pace with the state of affairs.
Mr Bugbilla, in his acceptance speech, expressed his appreciation to members of the assembly for the confidence reposed in him, and said he was confident that with their support, he would succeed in moving the district development agenda forward.
"As your DCE, I will personally lead our district in promoting unity, tolerance, peace and harmony among all the people in the district to facilitate a speedy development, and I appeal to you to do same," he said.
Continuing, Mr Bugbilla said his leadership as the DCE had the challenge of sustaining the wonderful work done by his predecessor. "To sustain that progress, we must continue to work together on all fronts. We should tackle this challenge daily, working to make sure that our structures and sub-structures are functioning very well," he said.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, commended the assembly members for confirming the President's nominee, and expressed the hope that the DCE would work hard to enhance the development of the area.
The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs Agnes Chigabatia; Chief Director of the Upper East Regional Co-ordinating Council, Mr Samuel N'laari, and MP for Zebilla, Hon. John Ndebugre were among the dignitaries who witnessed the occasion.
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
Ghanaians Celebrate Quarter-Final Berth.......(D/G Centre Spread)
......From Bolga, Benjamin Xornam Glover reports that soccer fans in the Bolgatanga municipality poured into the streets in wild jubilation after the Black Stars victory.
Some drinking spots in town were filled to capacity with taxis and private cars displaying the national flag as they joyously tooted their horns loudly whilst shouting praises for the Stars for their splendid performance.
A few motorcyclists were seen speeding on the streets dangerously while tooting their horns in celebration of the victory.
Some of the people the Daily Graphic spoke to commended the players for putting behind them all the criticisms raised against them by a section of Ghanaians and securing a win on the day that it mattered most
Some drinking spots in town were filled to capacity with taxis and private cars displaying the national flag as they joyously tooted their horns loudly whilst shouting praises for the Stars for their splendid performance.
A few motorcyclists were seen speeding on the streets dangerously while tooting their horns in celebration of the victory.
Some of the people the Daily Graphic spoke to commended the players for putting behind them all the criticisms raised against them by a section of Ghanaians and securing a win on the day that it mattered most
SOLDIERS INJURE CIVILIAN AND BOLT (Page 21)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
A group of military men are said to have knocked down a middle-aged man on the Bolgatanga-Navrongo highway and bolted.
The accident occurred around 6.00 p.m. last Saturday at the SSNIT traffic lights intersection in Bolgatanga. Instead of stopping to convey the victim to hospital, the soldiers, who had initially attempted to speed off, returned to the accident spot, did a few maneuverings and took off again, leaving the victim at the spot where he fell.
The victim was later identified as Azure Amere, a farmer. He sustained injuries on his forehead, upper lip, right shoulder and left ankle and was taken to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital by by-standers who looked on helpless as the soldiers sped off.
An eyewitness told the Daily Graphic that the victim was crossing the road on a bicycle when the military vehicle with registration number 37 GA 86, which was moving at top speed, knocked him off his bike.
He said initially the soldiers attempted to speed off, but they were booed by onlookers and this forced them to return to the spot.
He said the soldiers alighted from the vehicle, but instead of conveying the victim to hospital, they only took a look at him and sped off again towards Tamale.
When this reporter arrived at the scene, a crowd had gathered around the traffic lights, which had not been functioning for quite some time.
A check at the hospital revealed that the victim, who did not have a health insurance card, was being attended to.
Checks at the Bolgatanga Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) later in the evening, indicated that the soldiers had not reported the accident to the police.
The MTTU officials said any person operating a motor vehicle and was involved in an accident, was required by law to stop at a safe place, provide information to the owner of whatever property might have been damaged, whether it be a car, a person or property and render aid to anyone thus injured, if necessary.
They said those who caused property damage and were unable to identify or contact the property’s owner, were required to leave a note with contact information and file an accident report with the police.
A group of military men are said to have knocked down a middle-aged man on the Bolgatanga-Navrongo highway and bolted.
The accident occurred around 6.00 p.m. last Saturday at the SSNIT traffic lights intersection in Bolgatanga. Instead of stopping to convey the victim to hospital, the soldiers, who had initially attempted to speed off, returned to the accident spot, did a few maneuverings and took off again, leaving the victim at the spot where he fell.
The victim was later identified as Azure Amere, a farmer. He sustained injuries on his forehead, upper lip, right shoulder and left ankle and was taken to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital by by-standers who looked on helpless as the soldiers sped off.
An eyewitness told the Daily Graphic that the victim was crossing the road on a bicycle when the military vehicle with registration number 37 GA 86, which was moving at top speed, knocked him off his bike.
He said initially the soldiers attempted to speed off, but they were booed by onlookers and this forced them to return to the spot.
He said the soldiers alighted from the vehicle, but instead of conveying the victim to hospital, they only took a look at him and sped off again towards Tamale.
When this reporter arrived at the scene, a crowd had gathered around the traffic lights, which had not been functioning for quite some time.
A check at the hospital revealed that the victim, who did not have a health insurance card, was being attended to.
Checks at the Bolgatanga Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) later in the evening, indicated that the soldiers had not reported the accident to the police.
The MTTU officials said any person operating a motor vehicle and was involved in an accident, was required by law to stop at a safe place, provide information to the owner of whatever property might have been damaged, whether it be a car, a person or property and render aid to anyone thus injured, if necessary.
They said those who caused property damage and were unable to identify or contact the property’s owner, were required to leave a note with contact information and file an accident report with the police.
Monday, 28 January 2008
CHILD LABOUR: AN ENDEMIC PROBLEM IN UPPER EAST (PAGE 34)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
CHILD labour in the Upper East Region is an endemic problem. It begins from the homes, where girls are taken as domestic slaves, and on the farms where boys are taken to work as farm hands or to herd sheep at the expense of their education.
In the Talensi-Nabdan District, where gold is mined illegally (galamsey), the miners employ the services of children to sift the pounded rock extracted from the mines to get the gold dust.
The masters then sell the gold dust to international gold mining companies.
Even though child labour is illegal in Ghana, it is very difficult to clamp down on the perpetrators.
One organisation which is trying very hard to curb the phenomenon, at least in the Upper East Region, is Afrikids Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) engaged Afrikids Ghana to undertake a World Bank-funded project to tackle child labour in the small-scale gold mines at Talensi-Nabdam, especially in the area where the children’s rights were greatly abused in the region.
The Project Manager of the project, which has been code-named “Operation Sunlight”, Mr Raymond Ayine, told the Daily Graphic that initially the offer was to implement a child labour project in the Bolga municipality and another district of its choice.
“We thought that since the Talensi-Nabdam District was a new one, it had a lot of developmental challenges so we saw it as an opportunity to be one of the first NGOs to make a positive impact in the district. We, therefore, decided to take the project on board," he stated.
Mr Ayine said Afrikids Ghana was chosen to run the project because of its wide range of experience, adding that the project would work with all the local stakeholder organisations, including the district assembly, the Ghana Education Service and the Department of Social Welfare, to tackle the problem.
According to him, the project would prevent children from getting into mining through community awareness, advocacy and educational programmes, in addition to providing parents with micro-finance loans and skills training for them to increase their family incomes in order to take the pressure off the children.
Mr Ayine stated that the project would also manage the withdrawal, placement and rehabilitation of the children who were already working in the mines.
He said the programme to get the children out of the mines commenced in 2006, adding that since June 2007 about 150 children from 10 communities, namely, Gbani, Nangdi, Duusi, Accra, Tarkwa, Yaale, Datuko, Obuasi, Kulpelga and Kejetia had been profiled.
According to Mr Ayine, in terms of service delivery the NGO had been able to enrol 118 children in schools, saying that one of the greatest challenges which had faced the project since its inception was the absence of a public school within its catchment area.
Mr Ayine, therefore, appealed to the government, through the district assembly, to provide the beneficiary communities with a school which was proximate to the mining areas.
He said that would enable the children to attend a public school and also enjoy other incentives such as the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme.
CHILD labour in the Upper East Region is an endemic problem. It begins from the homes, where girls are taken as domestic slaves, and on the farms where boys are taken to work as farm hands or to herd sheep at the expense of their education.
In the Talensi-Nabdan District, where gold is mined illegally (galamsey), the miners employ the services of children to sift the pounded rock extracted from the mines to get the gold dust.
The masters then sell the gold dust to international gold mining companies.
Even though child labour is illegal in Ghana, it is very difficult to clamp down on the perpetrators.
One organisation which is trying very hard to curb the phenomenon, at least in the Upper East Region, is Afrikids Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) engaged Afrikids Ghana to undertake a World Bank-funded project to tackle child labour in the small-scale gold mines at Talensi-Nabdam, especially in the area where the children’s rights were greatly abused in the region.
The Project Manager of the project, which has been code-named “Operation Sunlight”, Mr Raymond Ayine, told the Daily Graphic that initially the offer was to implement a child labour project in the Bolga municipality and another district of its choice.
“We thought that since the Talensi-Nabdam District was a new one, it had a lot of developmental challenges so we saw it as an opportunity to be one of the first NGOs to make a positive impact in the district. We, therefore, decided to take the project on board," he stated.
Mr Ayine said Afrikids Ghana was chosen to run the project because of its wide range of experience, adding that the project would work with all the local stakeholder organisations, including the district assembly, the Ghana Education Service and the Department of Social Welfare, to tackle the problem.
According to him, the project would prevent children from getting into mining through community awareness, advocacy and educational programmes, in addition to providing parents with micro-finance loans and skills training for them to increase their family incomes in order to take the pressure off the children.
Mr Ayine stated that the project would also manage the withdrawal, placement and rehabilitation of the children who were already working in the mines.
He said the programme to get the children out of the mines commenced in 2006, adding that since June 2007 about 150 children from 10 communities, namely, Gbani, Nangdi, Duusi, Accra, Tarkwa, Yaale, Datuko, Obuasi, Kulpelga and Kejetia had been profiled.
According to Mr Ayine, in terms of service delivery the NGO had been able to enrol 118 children in schools, saying that one of the greatest challenges which had faced the project since its inception was the absence of a public school within its catchment area.
Mr Ayine, therefore, appealed to the government, through the district assembly, to provide the beneficiary communities with a school which was proximate to the mining areas.
He said that would enable the children to attend a public school and also enjoy other incentives such as the Capitation Grant and the School Feeding Programme.
Sunday, 27 January 2008
ZOOMLION DITIES UPPER EAST .... (Page 22)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a private waste management company, has organised clean-up exercises throughout the two municipalities and six districts in the Upper East Region to clear them of filth.
A number of sanitation agents and some organised groups, such as members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, joined in the exercise.
The Upper East Regional Operations Supervisor of Zoomlion, Mr Joseph Boakye Danquah, told the Daily Graphic that the exercise was organised to clean the communities.
He added that it was part of the company's contribution to ensure a clean environment in the region, especially at a time when the nation was hosting the Africa Cup of Nations and other international events.
Mr Danquah urged the public to adopt good environmental practices to prevent the outbreak of diseases.
Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a private waste management company, has organised clean-up exercises throughout the two municipalities and six districts in the Upper East Region to clear them of filth.
A number of sanitation agents and some organised groups, such as members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, joined in the exercise.
The Upper East Regional Operations Supervisor of Zoomlion, Mr Joseph Boakye Danquah, told the Daily Graphic that the exercise was organised to clean the communities.
He added that it was part of the company's contribution to ensure a clean environment in the region, especially at a time when the nation was hosting the Africa Cup of Nations and other international events.
Mr Danquah urged the public to adopt good environmental practices to prevent the outbreak of diseases.
Thursday, 24 January 2008
FIRE DESTROYS RESEARCH INSTITUTE (Page 43)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
A number of office equipment, including computers and photocopiers, as well as vital research files and documents, were destroyed when fire swept through one of the offices of the Navrongo Health Research Institute in the Kassena-Nankana District of the Upper East Region in the early hours of Friday.
So intense was the blaze that it took the joint effort of personnel of the Fire Service in Navrongo and Bolgatanga to bring the situation under control. Sources told the Daily Graphic that it took them about two and half hours to bring the situation under control.
The cause of the fire was not known at the time of filing this report.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on phone, the Director of the institute, Dr Abraham Hodgeson, said the fire started at 3.00 a.m. According to him, initially watchmen on duty attempted to fight the fire with the aid of fire extinguishers, while efforts were made to call in the District Fire Service.
He said the Regional Fire Office was also informed and the men arrived a short while later to complement the efforts of the District Fire Service.
Dr Hodgeson said the fire had caused great loss to the centre. He, however, gave the assurance that every necessary effort had been made to mitigate the effect it might have on the work of the centre.
He said officials of the Fire Service who had been to the scene had commenced investigations to ascertain the cause of the fire and estimate the total cost of destruction.
The Regional Fire Officer, Mr Johnson Abu, said his office received a distress call at 4.15 a.m. on Friday and immediately a fire engine was dispatched to Navrongo to assist in the fire fighting.
He said the absence of a hydrant at the centre and the faulty fire engine at the Navrongo Fire Station posed big challenges to the output of his men who eventually managed to bring the situation under control.
In a related development, another fire outbreak occurred at the Cotton Factory at Pusunamongo in the early hours of Friday.
According to Mr Abu, his office received a distress call at 4.30 a.m., just about the same time that the only fire engine had gone to assist fight the fire at Navrongo.
The service, therefore, had to rely on the fire engine at Bongo, which, unfortunately, developed a fault and broke down while it was on its way to Bolgatanga.
He said the only option left was to recall the Bolgatanga fire engine which had gone to Navrongo to return to Bolgatanga to help fight the fire, while contact was made with the Walewale Fire Service to help contain the situation.
A number of office equipment, including computers and photocopiers, as well as vital research files and documents, were destroyed when fire swept through one of the offices of the Navrongo Health Research Institute in the Kassena-Nankana District of the Upper East Region in the early hours of Friday.
So intense was the blaze that it took the joint effort of personnel of the Fire Service in Navrongo and Bolgatanga to bring the situation under control. Sources told the Daily Graphic that it took them about two and half hours to bring the situation under control.
The cause of the fire was not known at the time of filing this report.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on phone, the Director of the institute, Dr Abraham Hodgeson, said the fire started at 3.00 a.m. According to him, initially watchmen on duty attempted to fight the fire with the aid of fire extinguishers, while efforts were made to call in the District Fire Service.
He said the Regional Fire Office was also informed and the men arrived a short while later to complement the efforts of the District Fire Service.
Dr Hodgeson said the fire had caused great loss to the centre. He, however, gave the assurance that every necessary effort had been made to mitigate the effect it might have on the work of the centre.
He said officials of the Fire Service who had been to the scene had commenced investigations to ascertain the cause of the fire and estimate the total cost of destruction.
The Regional Fire Officer, Mr Johnson Abu, said his office received a distress call at 4.15 a.m. on Friday and immediately a fire engine was dispatched to Navrongo to assist in the fire fighting.
He said the absence of a hydrant at the centre and the faulty fire engine at the Navrongo Fire Station posed big challenges to the output of his men who eventually managed to bring the situation under control.
In a related development, another fire outbreak occurred at the Cotton Factory at Pusunamongo in the early hours of Friday.
According to Mr Abu, his office received a distress call at 4.30 a.m., just about the same time that the only fire engine had gone to assist fight the fire at Navrongo.
The service, therefore, had to rely on the fire engine at Bongo, which, unfortunately, developed a fault and broke down while it was on its way to Bolgatanga.
He said the only option left was to recall the Bolgatanga fire engine which had gone to Navrongo to return to Bolgatanga to help fight the fire, while contact was made with the Walewale Fire Service to help contain the situation.
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
BAWKU WEST EX-DCE DEBUNKS RUMOURS ...(Page15)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Zebilla
The immediate past District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Bawku West District in the Upper East Region, Mr Moses Abaare Appiah, has debunked rumours in the Bawku Municipality that the flag bearer of the ruling NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, had promised to revert the Bawku chieftaincy title to the Mamprusis.
In a statement signed and issued at Zebilla, capital of the district, Mr Appiah described the rumours as not only baseless and unfounded, but also a ploy by politicians to tarnish the hard-won reputation and good image of the NPP presidential candidate for the 2008 general elections.
“The Bawku Chieftaincy problem is well known to many in the country, especially the people of Bawku as the Supreme Court, after hearing the case, gave a ruling in favour of Abugrago Azoka Asigri II, the legitimate and recognised Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area Mr Appiah said ”.
He said it should be made clear that the NPP flag-bearer, Nana Akufo-Addo had no hand in the conflict, which erupted at Bawku between the Mamprusis and Kusasis so no political party should peddle that unsubstantiated and baseless rumour.
Mr Appiah recalled that in previous conflicts that erupted in the area, the late Madam Hawa Yakubu was blamed for the conflicts. He therefore said he found it more intriguing that now that the late MP for Bawku Central was no more, the issue had taken a different twist with the NPP flag-bearer being blamed as the one who had caused the conflict.
“This is the work of some politicians who only want to score cheap political points and cause mayhem in the area,” the statement said.
He said the NPP government, under the leadership of President Kufuor, had kept faith with the people by implementing pragmatic policies and programmes to create an enabling environment to improve the lives of people.
According to Mr Appiah, Nana Akufo-Addo was seeking to succeed President Kufuor and continue what the party had already achieved, such as the peace Ghanaians had enjoyed for the past seven years, the people of the Kusasi Traditional Area being no exception.
He therefore called on residents of the Bawku Municipality, Bawku West and the Garu-Tempane districts to put behind them all tribal and ethnic differences and live in peace and unity. He urged them not to allow themselves to be deceived by ambitious and selfish politicians who are desirous of using them to destroy the tremendous and unprecedented development projects that in the area.
He alleged that the popularity of the opposition NDC in the area had waned so the party could only peddle rumours about the NPP flag bearer.
The former DCE, therefore, called on the people of the Kusasi Traditional Area to remain focused and resolute behind Nana Akufo-Addo to ensure that the NPP had a resounding victory, come December 2008.
In a related development, the Upper East Regional branch of BONABOTO, a union of citizens from Bolgatanga, Nabdam, Bongo and Tongo, have expressed its deep sorrow and concern over the recent bloody clashes that occurred between Mamprusis and Kusasis.
“Bawku is a commercial town that has bright potential for rapid socio-economic development. The long-standing conflict has, however, retarded the development of the municipality. This has led to the outflow of resources as its citizens are now investing outside for obvious reasons,” the union asserted.
According to the Regional Chairman, Mr George Akundikiya, the conflict had wider socio-economic ramifications for the Upper East Region and the country as a whole because the hard working people of Bawku supplied the nation with many agricultural products.
“It was the expectation of BONABOTO that after the devastating flood had left in its wake destroyed houses, and the loss of livestock and crops, the people would have used this period to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives. Sadly, they are rather inflicting more pain and destruction on themselves,” he said.
He called on both sides to take stock of the past and the present clashes and realise that the use of arms had not advanced their cause.
The immediate past District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Bawku West District in the Upper East Region, Mr Moses Abaare Appiah, has debunked rumours in the Bawku Municipality that the flag bearer of the ruling NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, had promised to revert the Bawku chieftaincy title to the Mamprusis.
In a statement signed and issued at Zebilla, capital of the district, Mr Appiah described the rumours as not only baseless and unfounded, but also a ploy by politicians to tarnish the hard-won reputation and good image of the NPP presidential candidate for the 2008 general elections.
“The Bawku Chieftaincy problem is well known to many in the country, especially the people of Bawku as the Supreme Court, after hearing the case, gave a ruling in favour of Abugrago Azoka Asigri II, the legitimate and recognised Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area Mr Appiah said ”.
He said it should be made clear that the NPP flag-bearer, Nana Akufo-Addo had no hand in the conflict, which erupted at Bawku between the Mamprusis and Kusasis so no political party should peddle that unsubstantiated and baseless rumour.
Mr Appiah recalled that in previous conflicts that erupted in the area, the late Madam Hawa Yakubu was blamed for the conflicts. He therefore said he found it more intriguing that now that the late MP for Bawku Central was no more, the issue had taken a different twist with the NPP flag-bearer being blamed as the one who had caused the conflict.
“This is the work of some politicians who only want to score cheap political points and cause mayhem in the area,” the statement said.
He said the NPP government, under the leadership of President Kufuor, had kept faith with the people by implementing pragmatic policies and programmes to create an enabling environment to improve the lives of people.
According to Mr Appiah, Nana Akufo-Addo was seeking to succeed President Kufuor and continue what the party had already achieved, such as the peace Ghanaians had enjoyed for the past seven years, the people of the Kusasi Traditional Area being no exception.
He therefore called on residents of the Bawku Municipality, Bawku West and the Garu-Tempane districts to put behind them all tribal and ethnic differences and live in peace and unity. He urged them not to allow themselves to be deceived by ambitious and selfish politicians who are desirous of using them to destroy the tremendous and unprecedented development projects that in the area.
He alleged that the popularity of the opposition NDC in the area had waned so the party could only peddle rumours about the NPP flag bearer.
The former DCE, therefore, called on the people of the Kusasi Traditional Area to remain focused and resolute behind Nana Akufo-Addo to ensure that the NPP had a resounding victory, come December 2008.
In a related development, the Upper East Regional branch of BONABOTO, a union of citizens from Bolgatanga, Nabdam, Bongo and Tongo, have expressed its deep sorrow and concern over the recent bloody clashes that occurred between Mamprusis and Kusasis.
“Bawku is a commercial town that has bright potential for rapid socio-economic development. The long-standing conflict has, however, retarded the development of the municipality. This has led to the outflow of resources as its citizens are now investing outside for obvious reasons,” the union asserted.
According to the Regional Chairman, Mr George Akundikiya, the conflict had wider socio-economic ramifications for the Upper East Region and the country as a whole because the hard working people of Bawku supplied the nation with many agricultural products.
“It was the expectation of BONABOTO that after the devastating flood had left in its wake destroyed houses, and the loss of livestock and crops, the people would have used this period to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives. Sadly, they are rather inflicting more pain and destruction on themselves,” he said.
He called on both sides to take stock of the past and the present clashes and realise that the use of arms had not advanced their cause.
Tuesday, 22 January 2008
BONGO RENEWS APPEAL FOR COMPLETION OF ROAD PROJECT (Page 20)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bongo
THE people of Bongo in the Upper East Region have renewed their appeal to the government to ensure the early completion of the major road linking the town to Bolgatanga to ease the transportation difficulties the people encounter.
They have also expressed concern that not even a kilometre of tarred road could be found in the district, a situation which was seriously hampering the economic development of the area.
The Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyaarum, made the appeal at this year's Azambene Festival at Bongo.
He said he had information that the contract of work on the main Bolgatanga-Bongo road had been terminated, compelling the contractor to start moving his equipment away from the site.
"The tarring of the Bolgatanga-Bongo road, which began in 2002, came to a standstill when work on the Bolga portion was completed. Since then, all efforts to get the Bongo portion tarred have proved futile," Naba Aleemyaarum said.
He, therefore, pleaded with the government to get the tarring of the road completed to boost economic and social activities in the area.
The theme for this year's celebration was: "Culture Re-awakened to Promote Education”.
Naba Aleemyaarum said as part of measures to protect the environment, the traditional council had placed a ban on bush burning in the area and it had yielded fruitful results.
The chief appealed to benevolent organisations and individuals to assist the people to plant more trees, especially economic ones, to protect the environment.
Naba Aleemyaarum noted with regret that 2007 saw the area being hit by a long period of drought, followed by flooding that destroyed many farmlands, roads and houses, resulting in the displacement of a number of households.
He, however, commended the government and its development partners for their prompt response to the plight of the disaster victims by way of relief items.
The traditional ruler called on all stakeholders to be circumspect in the way they went about their political activities in order not to disturb the peace of the area.
"Let us continue to exhibit that high sense of unity among us for a common purpose. Let us remember that Ghana is the only country we have and so we should do everything possible to protect it like an egg," he stressed.
Responding to the pleas of the people, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, said the contract on the road linking Bolgatanga to Bongo was terminated as a result of the non-performance of the contractor.
He assured the people that the road would soon be awarded on contract and that everything would be done to ensure that it was completed on schedule.
Mr Samari disclosed that the government had set aside GH¢1.5 million for road construction in the region in the wake of the recent flood disaster that hit the area, adding that roads in Bongo would also be considered.
The regional minister stated that the government had taken a serious view of the imminent famine staring the people in the face after the floods and had taken concrete steps to tackle the problem appropriately.
"In addition to providing food aid for the people, the government is also working through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to supply seeds and fertilisers to the farmers," he said.
Mr Samari commended the chiefs and people of Bongo for instituting an educational endowment fund and urged them to liaise with the district assembly and the District Directorate of Education for advice as far as educational advancement in the district was concerned.
The District Chief Executive, Mr Francis A. Asampana, urged the people to take advantage of the government’s pro-poor policies, such as the National Health Insurance Scheme and the Capitation Grant, to better their lot.
The MP for the area, Mr Albert Abongo, who re-echoed the need for the early completion of the road project, also urged the people to take the education of the children seriously.
THE people of Bongo in the Upper East Region have renewed their appeal to the government to ensure the early completion of the major road linking the town to Bolgatanga to ease the transportation difficulties the people encounter.
They have also expressed concern that not even a kilometre of tarred road could be found in the district, a situation which was seriously hampering the economic development of the area.
The Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyaarum, made the appeal at this year's Azambene Festival at Bongo.
He said he had information that the contract of work on the main Bolgatanga-Bongo road had been terminated, compelling the contractor to start moving his equipment away from the site.
"The tarring of the Bolgatanga-Bongo road, which began in 2002, came to a standstill when work on the Bolga portion was completed. Since then, all efforts to get the Bongo portion tarred have proved futile," Naba Aleemyaarum said.
He, therefore, pleaded with the government to get the tarring of the road completed to boost economic and social activities in the area.
The theme for this year's celebration was: "Culture Re-awakened to Promote Education”.
Naba Aleemyaarum said as part of measures to protect the environment, the traditional council had placed a ban on bush burning in the area and it had yielded fruitful results.
The chief appealed to benevolent organisations and individuals to assist the people to plant more trees, especially economic ones, to protect the environment.
Naba Aleemyaarum noted with regret that 2007 saw the area being hit by a long period of drought, followed by flooding that destroyed many farmlands, roads and houses, resulting in the displacement of a number of households.
He, however, commended the government and its development partners for their prompt response to the plight of the disaster victims by way of relief items.
The traditional ruler called on all stakeholders to be circumspect in the way they went about their political activities in order not to disturb the peace of the area.
"Let us continue to exhibit that high sense of unity among us for a common purpose. Let us remember that Ghana is the only country we have and so we should do everything possible to protect it like an egg," he stressed.
Responding to the pleas of the people, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, said the contract on the road linking Bolgatanga to Bongo was terminated as a result of the non-performance of the contractor.
He assured the people that the road would soon be awarded on contract and that everything would be done to ensure that it was completed on schedule.
Mr Samari disclosed that the government had set aside GH¢1.5 million for road construction in the region in the wake of the recent flood disaster that hit the area, adding that roads in Bongo would also be considered.
The regional minister stated that the government had taken a serious view of the imminent famine staring the people in the face after the floods and had taken concrete steps to tackle the problem appropriately.
"In addition to providing food aid for the people, the government is also working through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to supply seeds and fertilisers to the farmers," he said.
Mr Samari commended the chiefs and people of Bongo for instituting an educational endowment fund and urged them to liaise with the district assembly and the District Directorate of Education for advice as far as educational advancement in the district was concerned.
The District Chief Executive, Mr Francis A. Asampana, urged the people to take advantage of the government’s pro-poor policies, such as the National Health Insurance Scheme and the Capitation Grant, to better their lot.
The MP for the area, Mr Albert Abongo, who re-echoed the need for the early completion of the road project, also urged the people to take the education of the children seriously.
Monday, 21 January 2008
BAWKU TRADITIONAL COUNCIL COMMITTED TO PEACE ...(Page 34) Monday January 21,2008
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bawku
THE Bawku Traditional Council has given the assurance that it is committed to the welfare of all the people in the area irrespective of their ethnic differences. The council has, therefore, appealed to the people in the traditional area to exercise restraint “in these trying moments”.
The President of the council, Nana Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, who is also the Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area, said this in a statement read on his behalf by the Chief of Kusanaba, Patrick Atia Ayarim II, at a news conference at Bawku.
The news conference followed the recent ethnic conflict at Bawku.
“Although the guns are silent, the current situation in Bawku, as we see it, is that the area is divided into hostile zones with Mamprusis based in their enclave between the centre of the town and the Bawku Hospital, and the Kusasis virtually surrounding the Mamprusi enclave, such that members of each community cannot cross into ‘the enemy territory’ and get out scot-free, unless they are escorted by members of the security agencies. This is certainly not a healthy state of affairs,” the statement said.
The council called for the restoration of normalcy to the area as quickly as possible to enable all the people to move freely in pursuit of their means of livelihood.
The statement stressed that “after all said and done, we are all one people with a common destiny”.
The Bawku Naba said as far as the council was concerned, the Bawku chieftaincy crises had been resolved by the highest courts of the land and that should end the matter. “Government and state institutions concerned need to tell the Mamprusis the truth of the matter. The Bawku chieftaincy dispute has been settled for ever,” the statement said.
It further appealed to government officials in particular to stop condoning the operation of a parallel chieftaincy in Bawku by “visiting a supposed regent’s home and addressing him as a regent. This attitude gives false hopes to the Mamprusis that they can be chiefs or are chiefs, which is not the case”.
“There can be no genuine peace unless the Mamprusis are told the truth of the matter, which is that the chieftaincy matter has been settled, concluded and buried so that they can understand and appreciate it. The Kusasis are committed to peace, stability and the development of the Bawku area and will not do anything to undermine this,” the statement said.
In the view of the council, the rule of law must be enforced and that no individual or group should be allowed to use violence in pursuit of their private agenda.
THE Bawku Traditional Council has given the assurance that it is committed to the welfare of all the people in the area irrespective of their ethnic differences. The council has, therefore, appealed to the people in the traditional area to exercise restraint “in these trying moments”.
The President of the council, Nana Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, who is also the Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area, said this in a statement read on his behalf by the Chief of Kusanaba, Patrick Atia Ayarim II, at a news conference at Bawku.
The news conference followed the recent ethnic conflict at Bawku.
“Although the guns are silent, the current situation in Bawku, as we see it, is that the area is divided into hostile zones with Mamprusis based in their enclave between the centre of the town and the Bawku Hospital, and the Kusasis virtually surrounding the Mamprusi enclave, such that members of each community cannot cross into ‘the enemy territory’ and get out scot-free, unless they are escorted by members of the security agencies. This is certainly not a healthy state of affairs,” the statement said.
The council called for the restoration of normalcy to the area as quickly as possible to enable all the people to move freely in pursuit of their means of livelihood.
The statement stressed that “after all said and done, we are all one people with a common destiny”.
The Bawku Naba said as far as the council was concerned, the Bawku chieftaincy crises had been resolved by the highest courts of the land and that should end the matter. “Government and state institutions concerned need to tell the Mamprusis the truth of the matter. The Bawku chieftaincy dispute has been settled for ever,” the statement said.
It further appealed to government officials in particular to stop condoning the operation of a parallel chieftaincy in Bawku by “visiting a supposed regent’s home and addressing him as a regent. This attitude gives false hopes to the Mamprusis that they can be chiefs or are chiefs, which is not the case”.
“There can be no genuine peace unless the Mamprusis are told the truth of the matter, which is that the chieftaincy matter has been settled, concluded and buried so that they can understand and appreciate it. The Kusasis are committed to peace, stability and the development of the Bawku area and will not do anything to undermine this,” the statement said.
In the view of the council, the rule of law must be enforced and that no individual or group should be allowed to use violence in pursuit of their private agenda.
22 REMANDED IN BAWKU CONFLICT CASE (Page 55) Monday January 21,2008
Story: Benjamin Xorman Glover, Navrongo
TWENTY-TWO people who were arrested by the police in connection with the recent ethnic conflict in the Bawku municipality were on Thursday remanded in prison custody by the Navrongo District Court.
The suspects, whose pleas were not taken, will appear again on Thursday, January 31.
They are Abdulai Sally, Sally Issifu, Fred Wuni, Iddrisu Yakubu, Azam Tanpuri, Halidu Yahaya, Abdulai Alhassan, Issah Aruk, Massadudu Danladi, Seidu Hamidu, Mohammed Awal, Balla Abdulai Sulemana, Iddrisu Sulifu and Duada Busanga.
The rest are Hakeem David, Balia Adama, Seidu Agambilla, Nashiru Bukari, Abugri Bennedict, Kassim Sani, Mohammed Awal Hibit and Ibrahim Gambilla.
When the case was called, Detective Inspector R.K. Caesar who held brief for the prosecutor, Detective Inspector John Agyuah, cited the current uneasy calm persisting in the area and pleaded with the court to remand the accused persons in custody to enable the police to conduct further investigations into the matter.
The accused persons have each been charged with conspiracy, impediment in public way, causing unlawful damage, rioting with weapons and possessing ammunition without authority.
TWENTY-TWO people who were arrested by the police in connection with the recent ethnic conflict in the Bawku municipality were on Thursday remanded in prison custody by the Navrongo District Court.
The suspects, whose pleas were not taken, will appear again on Thursday, January 31.
They are Abdulai Sally, Sally Issifu, Fred Wuni, Iddrisu Yakubu, Azam Tanpuri, Halidu Yahaya, Abdulai Alhassan, Issah Aruk, Massadudu Danladi, Seidu Hamidu, Mohammed Awal, Balla Abdulai Sulemana, Iddrisu Sulifu and Duada Busanga.
The rest are Hakeem David, Balia Adama, Seidu Agambilla, Nashiru Bukari, Abugri Bennedict, Kassim Sani, Mohammed Awal Hibit and Ibrahim Gambilla.
When the case was called, Detective Inspector R.K. Caesar who held brief for the prosecutor, Detective Inspector John Agyuah, cited the current uneasy calm persisting in the area and pleaded with the court to remand the accused persons in custody to enable the police to conduct further investigations into the matter.
The accused persons have each been charged with conspiracy, impediment in public way, causing unlawful damage, rioting with weapons and possessing ammunition without authority.
FATCHU TO CONTEST PARLIAMENTARY SEAT ... (Page 15)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
THE Upper East Regional Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Mr Henry Fatchu, has declared his intention to contest the parliamentary seat for Lawra/Nandom on the party’s ticket.
The 32-year-old graduate from the University of Ghana told the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga that his intention to contest the seat was due to “pressure and several calls by the youth who say they need a young, dynamic and vibrant MP who will articulate the views of the people and the development agenda on the constituency”.
He said most people he had spoken to, especially the youth, said they were disappointed at the way the constituency lagged behind in terms of development.
“The youth have, therefore, seen me as an inspired leader who can be trusted to make their dreams of getting jobs a reality, and the sight of women queuing for water at the few boreholes a thing of the past”, he said.
Mr Fatchu alleged that the constituency had been neglected in spite of the many avenues for revenue and said that was not good. “Several revenue avenues exist but these have remained untouched by the assembly to create the needed job for the youth. Such avenues include the place where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of the Republic of Ghana, was imprisoned, the Brefo Shrine, the slave route at Kussele, a suburb of Nandom, and the largest church built of stones in West Africa, which can be found at Nandom”, he said.
Mr Fatchu said when elected as MP, he would pursue such issues and with the support of the youth help make the constituency an enviable place for all to stay rather than they migrating to the southern part of Ghana to pursue non-existing jobs.
He called on the people in the constituency to ensure that their names were recorded in the electoral register when the EC began the registration exercise later in the year, stressing that that was the only way for them to become eligible voters for the December elections.
THE Upper East Regional Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Mr Henry Fatchu, has declared his intention to contest the parliamentary seat for Lawra/Nandom on the party’s ticket.
The 32-year-old graduate from the University of Ghana told the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga that his intention to contest the seat was due to “pressure and several calls by the youth who say they need a young, dynamic and vibrant MP who will articulate the views of the people and the development agenda on the constituency”.
He said most people he had spoken to, especially the youth, said they were disappointed at the way the constituency lagged behind in terms of development.
“The youth have, therefore, seen me as an inspired leader who can be trusted to make their dreams of getting jobs a reality, and the sight of women queuing for water at the few boreholes a thing of the past”, he said.
Mr Fatchu alleged that the constituency had been neglected in spite of the many avenues for revenue and said that was not good. “Several revenue avenues exist but these have remained untouched by the assembly to create the needed job for the youth. Such avenues include the place where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of the Republic of Ghana, was imprisoned, the Brefo Shrine, the slave route at Kussele, a suburb of Nandom, and the largest church built of stones in West Africa, which can be found at Nandom”, he said.
Mr Fatchu said when elected as MP, he would pursue such issues and with the support of the youth help make the constituency an enviable place for all to stay rather than they migrating to the southern part of Ghana to pursue non-existing jobs.
He called on the people in the constituency to ensure that their names were recorded in the electoral register when the EC began the registration exercise later in the year, stressing that that was the only way for them to become eligible voters for the December elections.
3 CONDEMN ATTEMPT TO SACK KABURISE (Page 13)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Navrongo
Three of the nine-member executive committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Navrongo Central Constituency in the Upper East Region have dissociated themselves from a press conference held by the Constituency Chairman, Mr Francis Allou, and the Secretary, Mr William Aduum, at which they purportedly denounced Professor John B.K. Kaburise as a member of the party.
The three, Mrs Beatrice Apuri Achuliwor, the Women’s Organiser; Mr Matthew Kampe, the Second Vice-Chairperson, and Mr Gilbert K. Abalori, the Youth Organiser, insisted that at no point in time had the executive committee met to discuss, let alone arrive at, such a decision.
“We denounce and condemn the act of Messrs Allou and Aduum. They are creating discord and factionalism within the party and bringing the party into disrepute and public ridicule. By their act, they are violent and becoming dangerous towards a member of the party who wants to exercise his democratic right of seeking public office,” the three said.
Mrs Achuliwor, who spoke on behalf of the three at a press conference in Navrongo on Thursday, accused the constituency chairman of persistently alienating them from party activities.
“Messrs Allou and Aduum are quick in calling clandestine meetings with the MP, which they claim to be meetings of the executive committee. Some of us have never been called to those meetings because they think we speak our mind, ask so many questions to gather enough evidence before taking a decision,” she said.
Messrs Allou and Aduum called a press conference on January 11, at Navrongo, during which they advised members of the party not to allow their opponents to infiltrate their ranks and cause disunity and disaffection among them.
They were alleged to have, among other things, denounced Prof. Kaburise’s membership of the party.
Prof. Kaburise, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, has declared his intention to contest the Navrongo Central seat, which is currently occupied by Mr Joseph Kofi Adda.
Mrs Achuliwor rejected that claim, stating that Prof. Kaburise was a party member, with identification number NPPMC 0121274, and that his membership card had been signed by the general secretary of the party.
She said in April 2007, at the Catholic Social Centre in Navrongo, Professor Kaburise met the entire constituency executive to introduce himself as a party member and, therefore, questioned why some members of the executive committee should be peddling such rumours about the professor.
According to her, the former UDS vice-chancellor had met his membership responsibilities to the party and contributed meaningfully in the constituency.
She, therefore, called on the Regional Disciplinary Committee of the party to investigate the conduct of Messrs Allou and Aduum to save the party from defeat at the 2008 polls.
Meanwhile, Mrs Achuliwor and her colleagues stated categorically their neutrality in the race for the parliamentary seat.
“We leave the personal attacks on Professor Kaburise to him, as he is capable of handling the issues raised,” they stated.
Three of the nine-member executive committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Navrongo Central Constituency in the Upper East Region have dissociated themselves from a press conference held by the Constituency Chairman, Mr Francis Allou, and the Secretary, Mr William Aduum, at which they purportedly denounced Professor John B.K. Kaburise as a member of the party.
The three, Mrs Beatrice Apuri Achuliwor, the Women’s Organiser; Mr Matthew Kampe, the Second Vice-Chairperson, and Mr Gilbert K. Abalori, the Youth Organiser, insisted that at no point in time had the executive committee met to discuss, let alone arrive at, such a decision.
“We denounce and condemn the act of Messrs Allou and Aduum. They are creating discord and factionalism within the party and bringing the party into disrepute and public ridicule. By their act, they are violent and becoming dangerous towards a member of the party who wants to exercise his democratic right of seeking public office,” the three said.
Mrs Achuliwor, who spoke on behalf of the three at a press conference in Navrongo on Thursday, accused the constituency chairman of persistently alienating them from party activities.
“Messrs Allou and Aduum are quick in calling clandestine meetings with the MP, which they claim to be meetings of the executive committee. Some of us have never been called to those meetings because they think we speak our mind, ask so many questions to gather enough evidence before taking a decision,” she said.
Messrs Allou and Aduum called a press conference on January 11, at Navrongo, during which they advised members of the party not to allow their opponents to infiltrate their ranks and cause disunity and disaffection among them.
They were alleged to have, among other things, denounced Prof. Kaburise’s membership of the party.
Prof. Kaburise, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, has declared his intention to contest the Navrongo Central seat, which is currently occupied by Mr Joseph Kofi Adda.
Mrs Achuliwor rejected that claim, stating that Prof. Kaburise was a party member, with identification number NPPMC 0121274, and that his membership card had been signed by the general secretary of the party.
She said in April 2007, at the Catholic Social Centre in Navrongo, Professor Kaburise met the entire constituency executive to introduce himself as a party member and, therefore, questioned why some members of the executive committee should be peddling such rumours about the professor.
According to her, the former UDS vice-chancellor had met his membership responsibilities to the party and contributed meaningfully in the constituency.
She, therefore, called on the Regional Disciplinary Committee of the party to investigate the conduct of Messrs Allou and Aduum to save the party from defeat at the 2008 polls.
Meanwhile, Mrs Achuliwor and her colleagues stated categorically their neutrality in the race for the parliamentary seat.
“We leave the personal attacks on Professor Kaburise to him, as he is capable of handling the issues raised,” they stated.
Thursday, 17 January 2008
CARVE UP ANOTHER REGION FROM NORTHERN REGION (Page 20)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
A leading member of the Bolgatanga branch of the Gonjaland Youth Association, Mr Sulemana Ameenjako, has added his voice to calls for the creation of a new region out of the Northern Region.
According to Mr Ameenjako, when that idea was carried out, it would afford the government an opportunity to spread development to every corner of the country.
“The creation of a new region would allow for the rapid development of the area,” he said in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga.
Mr Ameenjako alleged that more often than not, development within the Northern Region was centred on Tamale and a few communities to the neglect of other places, stressing that “this does not augur well for national integration”.
He said it was in that regard that he would support any move to have a new region to cater for the development needs of the remaining areas.
Mr Ameenjako, also known as Flash, stated that the creation a new region would open up the area to development, adding that Gonjaland for instance boasted of natural and economic resources including tourist sites and fertile land suitable for agricultural activities.
“In terms of tourism, we have areas such as the Mole Game Reserve, the Larebanga Mosque, the mystery stone which when well developed could boost the economy of the area,” he stated.
Mr Ameenjako debunked assertions that the call for the creation of a new region was based on ethic consideration, stressing that Gonjaland consisted of about 28 tribes which had all lived together in peace over the past years.
“The call for a new region is mainly based on the need for accelerated development and nothing else,” he stressed.
Mr Ameenjako, therefore, called on the government to consider the development of the entire area and give the issue a serious consideration it deserved.
A leading member of the Bolgatanga branch of the Gonjaland Youth Association, Mr Sulemana Ameenjako, has added his voice to calls for the creation of a new region out of the Northern Region.
According to Mr Ameenjako, when that idea was carried out, it would afford the government an opportunity to spread development to every corner of the country.
“The creation of a new region would allow for the rapid development of the area,” he said in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga.
Mr Ameenjako alleged that more often than not, development within the Northern Region was centred on Tamale and a few communities to the neglect of other places, stressing that “this does not augur well for national integration”.
He said it was in that regard that he would support any move to have a new region to cater for the development needs of the remaining areas.
Mr Ameenjako, also known as Flash, stated that the creation a new region would open up the area to development, adding that Gonjaland for instance boasted of natural and economic resources including tourist sites and fertile land suitable for agricultural activities.
“In terms of tourism, we have areas such as the Mole Game Reserve, the Larebanga Mosque, the mystery stone which when well developed could boost the economy of the area,” he stated.
Mr Ameenjako debunked assertions that the call for the creation of a new region was based on ethic consideration, stressing that Gonjaland consisted of about 28 tribes which had all lived together in peace over the past years.
“The call for a new region is mainly based on the need for accelerated development and nothing else,” he stressed.
Mr Ameenjako, therefore, called on the government to consider the development of the entire area and give the issue a serious consideration it deserved.
UPPER EAST PNC SECRETARY TO CONTEST LAWRA-NANDOM SEAT
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
THE Upper East Regional Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Mr Henry Fatchu, has declared his intention to contest the parliamentary seat of Lawra/Nandom on the party’s ticket.
The 32-year-old graduate from the University of Ghana told the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga that his intention to contest the seat was due to “pressure and several calls on him by the youth, who said they needed a young, dynamic and vibrant member of parliament who will articulate the views of the people and the development agenda of the constituency”.
He said most people he had spoken to especially the youth said they were disappointed with the way the constituency lagged behind in development.
“The youth have therefore seen me as an inspired leader who can be trusted to make their dreams of getting jobs come true and the sight of women queuing for water at the few boreholes to be things of the past,” he said.
Mr Fatchu asserted that the constituency had been neglected in spite of the many revenue avenues that abound and said this was not good.
“Several revenue avenues exist but these have remained untouched by the assembly to create the needed job for the youth. Such avenues include the place where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of the Republic of Ghana, was imprisoned, the Brefo Shrine, the slave route at Kussele, a suburb of Nandom, and the largest church in West Africa built of stones at Nandom,” he said.
Mr Fatchu said if elected member of parliament (MP), he would pursue such issues and with the support of the youth help to make the constituency an enviable place for all to live in, rather than have people migrating to the south in pursuit of non-existent jobs.
He called on people in the constituency particularly to ensure that their names were recorded in the electoral register, when the EC begins the registration exercise, stressing that that was the only way they could become eligible voters for the December elections.
THE Upper East Regional Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Mr Henry Fatchu, has declared his intention to contest the parliamentary seat of Lawra/Nandom on the party’s ticket.
The 32-year-old graduate from the University of Ghana told the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga that his intention to contest the seat was due to “pressure and several calls on him by the youth, who said they needed a young, dynamic and vibrant member of parliament who will articulate the views of the people and the development agenda of the constituency”.
He said most people he had spoken to especially the youth said they were disappointed with the way the constituency lagged behind in development.
“The youth have therefore seen me as an inspired leader who can be trusted to make their dreams of getting jobs come true and the sight of women queuing for water at the few boreholes to be things of the past,” he said.
Mr Fatchu asserted that the constituency had been neglected in spite of the many revenue avenues that abound and said this was not good.
“Several revenue avenues exist but these have remained untouched by the assembly to create the needed job for the youth. Such avenues include the place where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of the Republic of Ghana, was imprisoned, the Brefo Shrine, the slave route at Kussele, a suburb of Nandom, and the largest church in West Africa built of stones at Nandom,” he said.
Mr Fatchu said if elected member of parliament (MP), he would pursue such issues and with the support of the youth help to make the constituency an enviable place for all to live in, rather than have people migrating to the south in pursuit of non-existent jobs.
He called on people in the constituency particularly to ensure that their names were recorded in the electoral register, when the EC begins the registration exercise, stressing that that was the only way they could become eligible voters for the December elections.
Friday, 11 January 2008
22 REMANDED IN BAWKU ....(Page 23)
Story: Benjamin Glover, Bolgaatanga
THE Navrongo District Court has remanded 22 persons in prison custody in connection with the recent disturbances in the Bawku Municipality and other neighbouring communities.
They are Abdulai Sally, Sally Issifu, Fred Wuni, Iddrisu Yakubu, Azam Tanpuri, Halidu Yahaya, Abdulai Alhassan, Issah Aruk, Massadudu Danladi, Seidu Hamidu, Mohammed Awal, Balla Abdulai Sulemana, Iddrisu Sulifu and Duada Busanga.
The rest are Hakeem David, Balia Adama, Seidu Agambilla, Nashriu Bukari, Abugri Bennedict, Kassim Sani, Mohammed Awal Hibit and Ibrahim Gambilla.
They were charged with conspiracy, impediment in public way, causing unlawful damage, rioting with weapons and possessing ammunitions without authority.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga on Monday, the Upper East Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Ofosu-Mensah Gyeabour, said the suspects, whose pleas were not taken, would reappear before the court on January 17, this year.
A dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on Bawku, Zabugu and Garu township is currently in force following communal violence that erupted in the towns on December 31, last year.
According to DCOP Gyeabour, the violence left in its wake a lot of causalities. He said so far eight people had been confirmed dead including two from outside Bawku, while 16 others who sustained various degrees of injury were receiving treatment.
The Regional Police Commander said the turmoil had also resulted in the burning and destruction of 78 houses, including 23 partially burnt ones.
He said 29 stores and three corn mills at Garu and five vehicles were also burnt.
DCOP Gyeabour said the Regional Security Committee (REGSEC) had been meeting daily to closely monitor and counter any likely development that could disturb the peace in the area.
Touching on the current situation on the ground, the Regional Police Commander said commercial activities were progressively resuming in the Bawku Municipality, while the people were beginning to gain more confidence in the police and other security agencies working in the area.
He stressed the need for the chiefs in the area to advise their opinion leaders and the youth to use the due process in resolving their differences.
THE Navrongo District Court has remanded 22 persons in prison custody in connection with the recent disturbances in the Bawku Municipality and other neighbouring communities.
They are Abdulai Sally, Sally Issifu, Fred Wuni, Iddrisu Yakubu, Azam Tanpuri, Halidu Yahaya, Abdulai Alhassan, Issah Aruk, Massadudu Danladi, Seidu Hamidu, Mohammed Awal, Balla Abdulai Sulemana, Iddrisu Sulifu and Duada Busanga.
The rest are Hakeem David, Balia Adama, Seidu Agambilla, Nashriu Bukari, Abugri Bennedict, Kassim Sani, Mohammed Awal Hibit and Ibrahim Gambilla.
They were charged with conspiracy, impediment in public way, causing unlawful damage, rioting with weapons and possessing ammunitions without authority.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga on Monday, the Upper East Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Ofosu-Mensah Gyeabour, said the suspects, whose pleas were not taken, would reappear before the court on January 17, this year.
A dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on Bawku, Zabugu and Garu township is currently in force following communal violence that erupted in the towns on December 31, last year.
According to DCOP Gyeabour, the violence left in its wake a lot of causalities. He said so far eight people had been confirmed dead including two from outside Bawku, while 16 others who sustained various degrees of injury were receiving treatment.
The Regional Police Commander said the turmoil had also resulted in the burning and destruction of 78 houses, including 23 partially burnt ones.
He said 29 stores and three corn mills at Garu and five vehicles were also burnt.
DCOP Gyeabour said the Regional Security Committee (REGSEC) had been meeting daily to closely monitor and counter any likely development that could disturb the peace in the area.
Touching on the current situation on the ground, the Regional Police Commander said commercial activities were progressively resuming in the Bawku Municipality, while the people were beginning to gain more confidence in the police and other security agencies working in the area.
He stressed the need for the chiefs in the area to advise their opinion leaders and the youth to use the due process in resolving their differences.
Thursday, 10 January 2008
MINISTERS FOR DEFENCE, INTERIOR ASSESS BAWKU SITUATION (Back Page)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bawku
A FACT-FINDING government delegation led by the ministers for the Interior and Defence, Messrs Kwamena Bartels, and Albert Kan-Dapaah, yesterday visited Bawku to assess the security situation in the Bawku Municipality, following the recent ethnic conflict between the Kusasis and the Mamprusis in the area.
The team, which also included the Chief of Army Staff, Major-General S.A, Odotei, arrived in Bawku on-board a military helicopter and was met on arrival by the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, and his deputy, Mrs Agnes Chigabatia and members of the Upper East Regional Security Council.
The regional minister, the Commanding Officer of the Tamale Airborne Force (ABF), Lt. Col. Irvine Aryeetey, and the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ofosu-Mensah Gyeabour, took turns to brief the delegation on the genesis and present situation on the ground.
Lt. Col. Aryeetey, in his brief, said on December 31, 2007, REGSEC held a meeting at Bolgatanga, and among other things which were discussed was security for the Samanpiid Festival, which was to be celebrated by the Kusasis on December 31, 2007.
He said as part of the decision taken, the Bawku Municipality Security Council was to meet the two factions to ensure that the festival was celebrated without any violent incident.
He noted that the festival took place on the said date and it was very peaceful, despite reports of an alleged armed robbery incident and burning of a house at Possun, a suburb of Bawku.
However, he indicated that on the night of the Samanpiid Festival, firing of arms intensified and this necessitated the REGSEC meeting.
The meeting recommended that reinforcement of security personnel should be sent to Bawku to curb the violence.
“The task given to the security agencies by the REGSEC was to make sure the two factions were separated and to prevent the fighting that was taking place from escalating,” he explained.
The ABF commander said all these were done during the day and in the evening and a curfew was imposed in Bawku, Garu and Zaabugu.
He stressed that presently an uneasy calm was returning to the area and five officers and 110 military personnel were on the ground to monitor the situation.
He called for the sensitisation and education of the populace on the need to maintain peace in the area.
He observed that although the situation was under control, there had been cases of isolated attacks on individuals who strayed into opposing territories, saying there was also the mounting of road blocks by individuals.
Lt. Col. Aryeetey called on the appropriate authorities to completely tackle the underlining problem of the Bawku conflict.
“The appropriate authorities should follow up immediately to solve the problem in order that the current peace does not relapse. I also appeal to government to revisit the Barzua Military Camp Project,” he noted.
The Regional Police Commander said the violence left in its wake a lot of destruction to life and property, estimated in several millions of cedis.
Giving a breakdown of the destruction, he said 75 houses were burnt completely, while 23 were partially burnt.
Twenty-nine stores, including three corn mills at Garu and five vehicles, have also been burnt, while 17 persons are confirmed injured and receiving treatment.
He said so far, eight people had died but conceded that the death toll may be higher as some deaths may not have been recorded at the hospital.
DCOP Gyeabour said 22 persons had been remanded in prison custody so far by the Navrongo District Court.
He pointed out that among the exhibits retrieved from the suspects were one AK47 rifle, one SMG rifle, four pistol ammunitions, four AK47 ammunitions and an SMG magazine, with 24 rounds of ammunition.
He observed that a total of 15 officers and 315 men drawn from the Northern, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Upper West, Upper East regions and headquarters, Accra, were assisting other security agencies to maintain the calm in the area.
The Upper East Regional Minister appealed for more financial support from the government to support the peacekeeping efforts in the area.
The team later paid courtesy calls on the Bawku Naba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II and elders of the Mamprusis.
A FACT-FINDING government delegation led by the ministers for the Interior and Defence, Messrs Kwamena Bartels, and Albert Kan-Dapaah, yesterday visited Bawku to assess the security situation in the Bawku Municipality, following the recent ethnic conflict between the Kusasis and the Mamprusis in the area.
The team, which also included the Chief of Army Staff, Major-General S.A, Odotei, arrived in Bawku on-board a military helicopter and was met on arrival by the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, and his deputy, Mrs Agnes Chigabatia and members of the Upper East Regional Security Council.
The regional minister, the Commanding Officer of the Tamale Airborne Force (ABF), Lt. Col. Irvine Aryeetey, and the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ofosu-Mensah Gyeabour, took turns to brief the delegation on the genesis and present situation on the ground.
Lt. Col. Aryeetey, in his brief, said on December 31, 2007, REGSEC held a meeting at Bolgatanga, and among other things which were discussed was security for the Samanpiid Festival, which was to be celebrated by the Kusasis on December 31, 2007.
He said as part of the decision taken, the Bawku Municipality Security Council was to meet the two factions to ensure that the festival was celebrated without any violent incident.
He noted that the festival took place on the said date and it was very peaceful, despite reports of an alleged armed robbery incident and burning of a house at Possun, a suburb of Bawku.
However, he indicated that on the night of the Samanpiid Festival, firing of arms intensified and this necessitated the REGSEC meeting.
The meeting recommended that reinforcement of security personnel should be sent to Bawku to curb the violence.
“The task given to the security agencies by the REGSEC was to make sure the two factions were separated and to prevent the fighting that was taking place from escalating,” he explained.
The ABF commander said all these were done during the day and in the evening and a curfew was imposed in Bawku, Garu and Zaabugu.
He stressed that presently an uneasy calm was returning to the area and five officers and 110 military personnel were on the ground to monitor the situation.
He called for the sensitisation and education of the populace on the need to maintain peace in the area.
He observed that although the situation was under control, there had been cases of isolated attacks on individuals who strayed into opposing territories, saying there was also the mounting of road blocks by individuals.
Lt. Col. Aryeetey called on the appropriate authorities to completely tackle the underlining problem of the Bawku conflict.
“The appropriate authorities should follow up immediately to solve the problem in order that the current peace does not relapse. I also appeal to government to revisit the Barzua Military Camp Project,” he noted.
The Regional Police Commander said the violence left in its wake a lot of destruction to life and property, estimated in several millions of cedis.
Giving a breakdown of the destruction, he said 75 houses were burnt completely, while 23 were partially burnt.
Twenty-nine stores, including three corn mills at Garu and five vehicles, have also been burnt, while 17 persons are confirmed injured and receiving treatment.
He said so far, eight people had died but conceded that the death toll may be higher as some deaths may not have been recorded at the hospital.
DCOP Gyeabour said 22 persons had been remanded in prison custody so far by the Navrongo District Court.
He pointed out that among the exhibits retrieved from the suspects were one AK47 rifle, one SMG rifle, four pistol ammunitions, four AK47 ammunitions and an SMG magazine, with 24 rounds of ammunition.
He observed that a total of 15 officers and 315 men drawn from the Northern, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Upper West, Upper East regions and headquarters, Accra, were assisting other security agencies to maintain the calm in the area.
The Upper East Regional Minister appealed for more financial support from the government to support the peacekeeping efforts in the area.
The team later paid courtesy calls on the Bawku Naba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II and elders of the Mamprusis.
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