Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
THE Presidential Candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, has stated that the only party that could bring economic prosperity to the country was the CPP.
He has, therefore, called on the electorate to vote for it to solve the country's economic problems.
Dr Nduom said this when he addressed members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU ) and interacted with market women in Bolgatanga as part of his campaign tour to the Upper East Region to introduce himself to stakeholders in the area, outline his vision to them and seek their mandate.
The tour took him to Bolgatanga, Sandema, Navrongo, Zuarungu as well as Paga and Bongo.
Dr Nduom expressed his appreciation to the party's delegates and supporters for electing him as the flag bearer.
He reiterated his vision to revitalise the defunct Zuarungu Meat Factory within the first 100 days of his presidency to provide jobs for the people.
“We have come to reclaim our territory and give hope to the people,” he said, adding that after years of both the NDC and the NPP, it is time Ghanaians gave the CPP the chance to prove what it can do for the people.”
He said the CPP had all the human and material resources to run the country and urged the electorate not to make the wrong choice by not voting for the CPP in the December elections.
Earlier at a meeting with officers of the GPRTU, the Upper East Regional Industrial Relations Officer of the union, Mr Mohammed Siitah Abubakari, debunked assertions that the union was in bed with one political party, the NDC.
“The union was in existence long before the NDC. What the party did was to support us acquire more buses to run our business; beyond that there is nothing. We are prepared to work with any political party that is prepared to work with us,” he said.
Dr Nduom had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Bolgatanga Traditional Area, Naba Martin Abilba II, who commended the candidate for offering himself to lead the country and wished him well.
The CPP flag bearer was accompanied by the General Secretary of the party, Mr Ivor Greenstreet, and other leading members of the party.
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
SELECT MATURE, EXPERIENCED CANDIDATES — GREENSTREET (PAGE 15)
STORY: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
THE General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Mr Ivor Greenstreet, has urged constituency executives and supporters of the party in all the 13 constituencies in the Upper East Region to select politically mature, experienced and convincing candidates from their constituencies to stand as parliamentary candidates.
Mr Greenstreet, who was in the region in the company of Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, presidential candidate of the CPP, explained that the forward march of the party required persons who could clearly articulate the vision and policies of the party, as it sought to regain power after the December polls.
“In the past, our party has not been as well organised as it should have been. With the current crop of leaders, things are beginning to change, and we need people who will champion that cause,” Mr Greenstreet said.
The general secretary said these when he interacted with leaders of the party at the Upper East Regional Office of the CPP yesterday.
The meeting was aimed at discussing and formulating strategies that could put the party in a better position as the December presidential and parliamentary elections drew nearer.
The CPP currently has no representative from the Upper East Region in Ghana’s 230 Members of Parliament.
Mr Greenstreet urged the constituency executives not to focus only on men, but also scout for women who were confident and competent to represent the party in Parliament.
Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom said Ghanaians had experienced both the National Democratic Party (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) governments and would want to have the CPP as an alternative change to salvage the people from their plight.
He made specific reference to the calibre of CPP leaders who, he said, were accomplished men and women, capable of solving any problem, and appealed to the people to vote for the CPP to redeem them from their woes.
“I, and indeed, the entire team in the CPP, are in this race to win. We want to take back Ghana and give it to the ordinary Ghanaians,” he said, while calling on voters to re-examine their economic status and vote for the CPP.
THE General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Mr Ivor Greenstreet, has urged constituency executives and supporters of the party in all the 13 constituencies in the Upper East Region to select politically mature, experienced and convincing candidates from their constituencies to stand as parliamentary candidates.
Mr Greenstreet, who was in the region in the company of Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, presidential candidate of the CPP, explained that the forward march of the party required persons who could clearly articulate the vision and policies of the party, as it sought to regain power after the December polls.
“In the past, our party has not been as well organised as it should have been. With the current crop of leaders, things are beginning to change, and we need people who will champion that cause,” Mr Greenstreet said.
The general secretary said these when he interacted with leaders of the party at the Upper East Regional Office of the CPP yesterday.
The meeting was aimed at discussing and formulating strategies that could put the party in a better position as the December presidential and parliamentary elections drew nearer.
The CPP currently has no representative from the Upper East Region in Ghana’s 230 Members of Parliament.
Mr Greenstreet urged the constituency executives not to focus only on men, but also scout for women who were confident and competent to represent the party in Parliament.
Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom said Ghanaians had experienced both the National Democratic Party (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) governments and would want to have the CPP as an alternative change to salvage the people from their plight.
He made specific reference to the calibre of CPP leaders who, he said, were accomplished men and women, capable of solving any problem, and appealed to the people to vote for the CPP to redeem them from their woes.
“I, and indeed, the entire team in the CPP, are in this race to win. We want to take back Ghana and give it to the ordinary Ghanaians,” he said, while calling on voters to re-examine their economic status and vote for the CPP.
DOCTOR'S CAR BURNT IN BAWKU (PAGE 14)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
A Vehicle belonging to the medical officer of the Bawku Hospital, Dr Francis Asana, was set ablaze on Monday by a group of young men in the third day of renewed conflict in Bawku.
Abanga Akudugu, the driver of the Mitsubishi pick-up, escaped unhurt.
Abanga, a Kusasi, was said to have driven to Natinga, a predominantly Mamprusi area, to do some shopping when the car was attacked and set on fire.
Dr Asana is also a Kusasi.
The burning of the car was seen as retaliation for the alleged hijacking and burning of a cargo truck at Binaba earlier.
The incident came after six rooms in four houses had been completely burnt down and a cargo truck, as well as a welding shop, set ablaze over the weekend.
A police source told the Daily Graphic that about 2.00 p.m. on Monday, rumours went round Bawku that a truck belonging to a Moshie had been hijacked by some Kusasis at Binaba and burnt.
The police source said just around that time, Dr Asana’s car, which had gone to the centre of the town, was spotted and burnt.
When the Upper East Regional Police Commander, Mr Victor Seth Agbetornyo, was contacted, he confirmed the story and said the police were investigating.
Earlier on Sunday, a welding shop was set ablaze around Mognori in the Bawku Municipality.
Mr Agbetornyo said the incident occurred about 6.00 p.m.
He said efforts by security personnel who were patrolling the streets to arrest the suspects — three unidentified persons on a motorbike — yielded no results as the three sped off.
Still in Bawku, some unidentified armed men were alleged to have stormed Sabongeri, a predominantly Kusasi community, and fired a series of warning shots about 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
According to the Regional Crime Officer, four houses were also set ablaze. However, residents of the area were able to bring the fire under control.
Mr Agbetornyo renewed his appeal to warring factions in the area to allow peace to prevail and urged the people, especially the opinion leaders, to commit themselves to the communiqué adopted after last Tuesday’s peace dialogue held in Bolgatanga.
Meanwhile, an 18-year-old man, Issaka Fuseini, who claims to be a carpenter at Bawku, is in the grips of the police for allegedly possessing ammunition.
Mr Agbetornyo told the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga, that Issaka was arrested on February 15, 2008 after breaking curfew hours.
He said a search on him revealed one G3 ammunition, a military camouflage cap with a badge, as well as an axe.
He said the suspect would soon be arraigned.
A Vehicle belonging to the medical officer of the Bawku Hospital, Dr Francis Asana, was set ablaze on Monday by a group of young men in the third day of renewed conflict in Bawku.
Abanga Akudugu, the driver of the Mitsubishi pick-up, escaped unhurt.
Abanga, a Kusasi, was said to have driven to Natinga, a predominantly Mamprusi area, to do some shopping when the car was attacked and set on fire.
Dr Asana is also a Kusasi.
The burning of the car was seen as retaliation for the alleged hijacking and burning of a cargo truck at Binaba earlier.
The incident came after six rooms in four houses had been completely burnt down and a cargo truck, as well as a welding shop, set ablaze over the weekend.
A police source told the Daily Graphic that about 2.00 p.m. on Monday, rumours went round Bawku that a truck belonging to a Moshie had been hijacked by some Kusasis at Binaba and burnt.
The police source said just around that time, Dr Asana’s car, which had gone to the centre of the town, was spotted and burnt.
When the Upper East Regional Police Commander, Mr Victor Seth Agbetornyo, was contacted, he confirmed the story and said the police were investigating.
Earlier on Sunday, a welding shop was set ablaze around Mognori in the Bawku Municipality.
Mr Agbetornyo said the incident occurred about 6.00 p.m.
He said efforts by security personnel who were patrolling the streets to arrest the suspects — three unidentified persons on a motorbike — yielded no results as the three sped off.
Still in Bawku, some unidentified armed men were alleged to have stormed Sabongeri, a predominantly Kusasi community, and fired a series of warning shots about 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
According to the Regional Crime Officer, four houses were also set ablaze. However, residents of the area were able to bring the fire under control.
Mr Agbetornyo renewed his appeal to warring factions in the area to allow peace to prevail and urged the people, especially the opinion leaders, to commit themselves to the communiqué adopted after last Tuesday’s peace dialogue held in Bolgatanga.
Meanwhile, an 18-year-old man, Issaka Fuseini, who claims to be a carpenter at Bawku, is in the grips of the police for allegedly possessing ammunition.
Mr Agbetornyo told the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga, that Issaka was arrested on February 15, 2008 after breaking curfew hours.
He said a search on him revealed one G3 ammunition, a military camouflage cap with a badge, as well as an axe.
He said the suspect would soon be arraigned.
Sunday, 24 February 2008
MINISTER VISITS SICK CHILDREN ON VAL'S DAY (MIRROR, PAGE 30)
From Benjamin Xornam Glover,
Bolgatanga
The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs. Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia has reiterated that rather than abusing Saint Valentine's Day, it was time people used it to care for one another in the community.
She said this after touring the Children’s Ward of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital on February 14, 2008, a day universally known as Saint Valentine’s Day, on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine cards or candy.
Accompanied by the Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Women, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Ms. Paulina Abayage, the Deputy Regional Minister distributed gifts to the in-patients. The items included biscuits, packs of fruit drinks and used clothing
They were conducted round the hospital by the Medical Director, Dr. Adoko Ameer.
Mrs. Chigabatia explained that Valentine’s Day should not only be devoted to romance and love-making but an opportunity for people to share and show compassion for the underprivileged in society.
She commended the doctors and nurses at the hospital for their hard work despite the many challenges they faced and urged them to keep it up
The Medical Officer was full of praise to the Deputy Regional Minister visit which he said would go a long way to contribute to the quick recovery of the in patients.
As part of the activities marking the day, Mrs. Chigabatia in the company of Ms. Abayage also visited the Sirigu Children’s Orphanage where she interacted with the children and later distributed confectionery to them.
The day was rounded off with a visit to Chiana-Kanania, where the Deputy Minister presented some items to a woman and her set of quadruplets.
Bolgatanga
The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs. Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia has reiterated that rather than abusing Saint Valentine's Day, it was time people used it to care for one another in the community.
She said this after touring the Children’s Ward of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital on February 14, 2008, a day universally known as Saint Valentine’s Day, on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine cards or candy.
Accompanied by the Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Women, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Ms. Paulina Abayage, the Deputy Regional Minister distributed gifts to the in-patients. The items included biscuits, packs of fruit drinks and used clothing
They were conducted round the hospital by the Medical Director, Dr. Adoko Ameer.
Mrs. Chigabatia explained that Valentine’s Day should not only be devoted to romance and love-making but an opportunity for people to share and show compassion for the underprivileged in society.
She commended the doctors and nurses at the hospital for their hard work despite the many challenges they faced and urged them to keep it up
The Medical Officer was full of praise to the Deputy Regional Minister visit which he said would go a long way to contribute to the quick recovery of the in patients.
As part of the activities marking the day, Mrs. Chigabatia in the company of Ms. Abayage also visited the Sirigu Children’s Orphanage where she interacted with the children and later distributed confectionery to them.
The day was rounded off with a visit to Chiana-Kanania, where the Deputy Minister presented some items to a woman and her set of quadruplets.
TALENSI-NABDAM ASSEMBLY HOLDS MEETING (PAGE 23)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Tongo
THE Talensi-Nabdam District in the Upper East Region mobilised GH¢37,104.75 from its internally generated source of revenue in 2007, representing 79.17 per cent of its projected target of GH¢46, 866.
The acting District Chief Executive (DCE), Mrs Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia, made this known at the first ordinary meeting of the second session of the assembly this year at Tongo.
Mrs Chigabatia, who is also the Deputy Regional Minister, stated that approval had been given for the recruitment of seven honest, dedicated and hard working people as revenue collectors to help improve the financial situation of the assembly.
She said during the year under review, the assembly received GH¢293,000 under the Canadian International Development Agency/District Wide Assistant Project for the construction of two sets of projects in the district.
According to Mrs Chigabatia, one set of the projects amounting to GH¢49,000 was for the provision of structures in areas affected by the recent floods, which` include the Yameriga and Zanlerigu primary schools and the Shia community clinic.
She said the construction of the Tongo Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation System under the Community Water and Sanitation Programme was progressing steadily.
The acting DCE gave the assurance that very soon, residents of Tongo and its environs would enjoy potable water in their homes.
She expressed concern about the delay of contractors working on various projects in the district, and appealed to them to do the right thing or have their contracts terminated.
Meanwhile, members of the District Assembly have appealed to the government to rename the Bolgatanga Senior High School (SHS), Winkongo SHS.
The assembly member for Winkongo, who moved the motion, said the continuous use of the name Bolgatanga SHS long after the creation of the Talensi-Nabdam District, was causing agitation among the people of the area on whose land the school is built.
He said the school was originally started on the premises of Zuarungu Middle Boarding School in 1970 but was later moved to Winkongo under the name Winkongo Secondary Technical School.
According to him, in 1974 when the school was about to be inaugurated, the name of the school was changed to Bolgatanga Secondary School without any consultation with the chiefs and opinion leaders.
Mr Aduko said the motion had become necessary because there had been agitation from the chiefs for the reversal of the name of the school.
Commenting on the issue, the Member of Parliament for Talensi, Mr John Tia, said the argument that the school was a regional one “fell flat on the face” because there were similar regional schools which bore the name of the communities in which they were located.
He, therefore, added his voice to calls for the re-naming of the school.
When the matter was later put to vote, 28 assembly members out of the 30 present, voted in favour of the motion with none voting against while two members abstained.
Mr Tia later commended the assembly members for their corporation and entreated them to work as a team to enhance the development of the area.
THE Talensi-Nabdam District in the Upper East Region mobilised GH¢37,104.75 from its internally generated source of revenue in 2007, representing 79.17 per cent of its projected target of GH¢46, 866.
The acting District Chief Executive (DCE), Mrs Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia, made this known at the first ordinary meeting of the second session of the assembly this year at Tongo.
Mrs Chigabatia, who is also the Deputy Regional Minister, stated that approval had been given for the recruitment of seven honest, dedicated and hard working people as revenue collectors to help improve the financial situation of the assembly.
She said during the year under review, the assembly received GH¢293,000 under the Canadian International Development Agency/District Wide Assistant Project for the construction of two sets of projects in the district.
According to Mrs Chigabatia, one set of the projects amounting to GH¢49,000 was for the provision of structures in areas affected by the recent floods, which` include the Yameriga and Zanlerigu primary schools and the Shia community clinic.
She said the construction of the Tongo Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation System under the Community Water and Sanitation Programme was progressing steadily.
The acting DCE gave the assurance that very soon, residents of Tongo and its environs would enjoy potable water in their homes.
She expressed concern about the delay of contractors working on various projects in the district, and appealed to them to do the right thing or have their contracts terminated.
Meanwhile, members of the District Assembly have appealed to the government to rename the Bolgatanga Senior High School (SHS), Winkongo SHS.
The assembly member for Winkongo, who moved the motion, said the continuous use of the name Bolgatanga SHS long after the creation of the Talensi-Nabdam District, was causing agitation among the people of the area on whose land the school is built.
He said the school was originally started on the premises of Zuarungu Middle Boarding School in 1970 but was later moved to Winkongo under the name Winkongo Secondary Technical School.
According to him, in 1974 when the school was about to be inaugurated, the name of the school was changed to Bolgatanga Secondary School without any consultation with the chiefs and opinion leaders.
Mr Aduko said the motion had become necessary because there had been agitation from the chiefs for the reversal of the name of the school.
Commenting on the issue, the Member of Parliament for Talensi, Mr John Tia, said the argument that the school was a regional one “fell flat on the face” because there were similar regional schools which bore the name of the communities in which they were located.
He, therefore, added his voice to calls for the re-naming of the school.
When the matter was later put to vote, 28 assembly members out of the 30 present, voted in favour of the motion with none voting against while two members abstained.
Mr Tia later commended the assembly members for their corporation and entreated them to work as a team to enhance the development of the area.
Thursday, 21 February 2008
MP DONATES AMBULANCE TO HEALTH CENTRE (PAGE 20)
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Binduri
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for the Binduri Constituency in the Upper East Region, Mr Mark Anthony Awuni, has handed over an ambulance to the Binduri Health Centre.
The ambulance, worth GH¢20,000, was acquired by the MP from his share of the constituency development fund.
Mr Awuni also donated two hospital beds and other disposables to the health centre.
At a brief ceremony to hand over the items, Mr Awuni said the donation became necessary because the Binduri Health Centre had over the years, handled health problems with extreme difficulties, especially when it came to referrals.
He noted with concern that in some cases, patients who needed immediate medical attention at the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital had to be transported on bicycles, motorbikes and donkey carts, which was dangerous to the health of the victims.
Mr Awuni expressed the hope that with the donation of the new ambulance, emergency cases would be responded to swiftly to prevent untimely deaths or complications due to delays in transporting patients.
He said plans were far advanced to present another ambulance to meet the health needs of the people in the Zawse-Bansi area.
Touching on some development projects for the constituency, the MP said through his share of the common fund, some schools had been rehabilitated to enhance teaching and learning.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bawku, Mr Abdulai Abanga, thanked the MP for the gesture and urged the people to make maximum use of the facility.
The Municipal Director of Health Services, Dr William Doudu, also expressed his appreciation to the MP for the donation.
He implored the people to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme in order to benefit from free but quality health care.
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Binduri
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for the Binduri Constituency in the Upper East Region, Mr Mark Anthony Awuni, has handed over an ambulance to the Binduri Health Centre.
The ambulance, worth GH¢20,000, was acquired by the MP from his share of the constituency development fund.
Mr Awuni also donated two hospital beds and other disposables to the health centre.
At a brief ceremony to hand over the items, Mr Awuni said the donation became necessary because the Binduri Health Centre had over the years, handled health problems with extreme difficulties, especially when it came to referrals.
He noted with concern that in some cases, patients who needed immediate medical attention at the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital had to be transported on bicycles, motorbikes and donkey carts, which was dangerous to the health of the victims.
Mr Awuni expressed the hope that with the donation of the new ambulance, emergency cases would be responded to swiftly to prevent untimely deaths or complications due to delays in transporting patients.
He said plans were far advanced to present another ambulance to meet the health needs of the people in the Zawse-Bansi area.
Touching on some development projects for the constituency, the MP said through his share of the common fund, some schools had been rehabilitated to enhance teaching and learning.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bawku, Mr Abdulai Abanga, thanked the MP for the gesture and urged the people to make maximum use of the facility.
The Municipal Director of Health Services, Dr William Doudu, also expressed his appreciation to the MP for the donation.
He implored the people to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme in order to benefit from free but quality health care.
Monday, 18 February 2008
PRESBY CHURCH INAUGURATES AREA HEALTH BOARD (PAGE 32)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
A 17-member Area Health Board of the Northern Presbytery Health Services of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) has been inaugurated to oversee the activities of institutions under the church’s health activities in the region.
The Northern Presbytery Area Health Board is one of the four being operated by the church, and is responsible for all health activities undertaken by the church’s health institutions.
The functions of the board are setting objectives to be translated into annual operating and financial plans, monitoring of performance, planning and creation of new health institutions in the respective areas of operation and making of recommendations to the PCG Committee of Health and Environment.
Members of the board, chaired by Rev Kwesi Addai Naami, the Northern Presbytery Chairperson of the PCG, include Rev Fei Hyeamang, the District Minister of the PCG, Bolgatanga; Chief Edward Abugbilla Atia of the Ghana Health Service, Bolgatanga; Dr Mensah Afful, the Builsa District Director of Health Services; and Mr Abubakar Azinim of the Bawku Traditional Council.
The rest, who are ex-officio members are the Medical Administrator of the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital, the Principal of the Bawku Nurses’ Training College, the Presbyterian Health Co-ordinators for Bolgatanga, Salaga and Bawku, the Bawku Hospital Accounts Manager and a Legal Practitioner, Mr Amok Afoko.
The Clerk of the General Assembly of the PCG, Rev Herbert A. Oppong, who inaugurated the board, said currently the PCG was the third after the government and the Roman Catholic Church in the provision of health service in the country.
He said the biggest challenge facing the church was the increasing demand for health services by the rural communities within which the church operated in the face of dwindling donor support.
“Time and again our partners have been drawing our attention to their inability to generate funds for our health and HIV/AIDS programmes. The alarm bells have been sounding louder of late, and it is about time the church identified new sources of funding for its health programme,” he said.
Rev Oppong, therefore, implored the board to assist the church in that regard.
He said with the inception of the National Health Insurance Scheme, the various health institutions of the church were improving their internally generated funds.
The General Assembly Clerk commended members of the board for accepting the responsibility in the face of the many challenges and expressed the hope that they would prove equal to the task.
On behalf of the board, Rev. Addai-Naami was expressed appreciation to the church for the trust reposed in them and promised to excel in the discharge of their duties.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, Mr Isaac Nsor Amoah, in a speech read on his behalf, thanked the PCG for its great contribution towards health care in the country as a whole and the region in particular.
“But for the conflict in Bawku, the Presbyterian Hospital could be described as a regional hospital because of the specialised services it provides, not only for citizens of Ghana, but also for people from the neighbouring countries,” he said.
A 17-member Area Health Board of the Northern Presbytery Health Services of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) has been inaugurated to oversee the activities of institutions under the church’s health activities in the region.
The Northern Presbytery Area Health Board is one of the four being operated by the church, and is responsible for all health activities undertaken by the church’s health institutions.
The functions of the board are setting objectives to be translated into annual operating and financial plans, monitoring of performance, planning and creation of new health institutions in the respective areas of operation and making of recommendations to the PCG Committee of Health and Environment.
Members of the board, chaired by Rev Kwesi Addai Naami, the Northern Presbytery Chairperson of the PCG, include Rev Fei Hyeamang, the District Minister of the PCG, Bolgatanga; Chief Edward Abugbilla Atia of the Ghana Health Service, Bolgatanga; Dr Mensah Afful, the Builsa District Director of Health Services; and Mr Abubakar Azinim of the Bawku Traditional Council.
The rest, who are ex-officio members are the Medical Administrator of the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital, the Principal of the Bawku Nurses’ Training College, the Presbyterian Health Co-ordinators for Bolgatanga, Salaga and Bawku, the Bawku Hospital Accounts Manager and a Legal Practitioner, Mr Amok Afoko.
The Clerk of the General Assembly of the PCG, Rev Herbert A. Oppong, who inaugurated the board, said currently the PCG was the third after the government and the Roman Catholic Church in the provision of health service in the country.
He said the biggest challenge facing the church was the increasing demand for health services by the rural communities within which the church operated in the face of dwindling donor support.
“Time and again our partners have been drawing our attention to their inability to generate funds for our health and HIV/AIDS programmes. The alarm bells have been sounding louder of late, and it is about time the church identified new sources of funding for its health programme,” he said.
Rev Oppong, therefore, implored the board to assist the church in that regard.
He said with the inception of the National Health Insurance Scheme, the various health institutions of the church were improving their internally generated funds.
The General Assembly Clerk commended members of the board for accepting the responsibility in the face of the many challenges and expressed the hope that they would prove equal to the task.
On behalf of the board, Rev. Addai-Naami was expressed appreciation to the church for the trust reposed in them and promised to excel in the discharge of their duties.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, Mr Isaac Nsor Amoah, in a speech read on his behalf, thanked the PCG for its great contribution towards health care in the country as a whole and the region in particular.
“But for the conflict in Bawku, the Presbyterian Hospital could be described as a regional hospital because of the specialised services it provides, not only for citizens of Ghana, but also for people from the neighbouring countries,” he said.
BONGO POLICE FACE ACCOMODATION PROBLEM
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bongo
LACK of accommodation and transportation for the police personnel in the Bongo District in the Upper East Region is affecting the work of the security officers working in the area.
The station, which was recently elevated to the status of a District Police Headquarters, is housed in a well-designed structure put up by the district assembly.
However, the absence of adjoining barracks and the failure of the Police Administration to supply the station with an operational vehicle is demoralising the personnel.
A recent visit by the Daily Graphic to the Bongo District Police Headquarters discovered that due to the problem of accommodation, about three police personnel were compelled to “squeeze themselves” into the conference room attached to the station.
Five other police personnel are said to be crammed in a guest house close to the station.
Speaking on anonymity, one the police personnel told this reporter that the unavailability of good accommodation and lack of logistics such as vehicles at the station was seriously affecting their performance.
"I think it is better for the public to know the situation, for them not to think that we have the tools but we are not working.
“Sometimes, the only means of transport at our disposal to effect arrest is the motorbike. How can we be effective in our jobs?,” he asked.
The policeman added that, "If we can be assured of decent accommodation and provided with all the needed logistics, the police will work well for the general public to appreciate it.”
The police therefore appealed to the government through the district assembly, to help provide accommodation for the personnel posted to the district, to facilitate their work.
When the Daily Graphic contacted the Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police DCOP Ofosu Mensah Gyeabour on the issue, he said it was the responsibility of the government to provide accommodation for the police service which was a public institution.
He said Bongo used to have a police station until the people themselves constructed a new structure for a District Police Headquarters, but failed to take into consideration the need for an adjoining police barracks.
The regional commander added that when the building was inspected, the defect was detected and the assembly’s attention was drawn to it.
According to DCOP Gyeabour, the DCE had assured him that the district assembly had planned in its next budget to help find a solution to the problem.
LACK of accommodation and transportation for the police personnel in the Bongo District in the Upper East Region is affecting the work of the security officers working in the area.
The station, which was recently elevated to the status of a District Police Headquarters, is housed in a well-designed structure put up by the district assembly.
However, the absence of adjoining barracks and the failure of the Police Administration to supply the station with an operational vehicle is demoralising the personnel.
A recent visit by the Daily Graphic to the Bongo District Police Headquarters discovered that due to the problem of accommodation, about three police personnel were compelled to “squeeze themselves” into the conference room attached to the station.
Five other police personnel are said to be crammed in a guest house close to the station.
Speaking on anonymity, one the police personnel told this reporter that the unavailability of good accommodation and lack of logistics such as vehicles at the station was seriously affecting their performance.
"I think it is better for the public to know the situation, for them not to think that we have the tools but we are not working.
“Sometimes, the only means of transport at our disposal to effect arrest is the motorbike. How can we be effective in our jobs?,” he asked.
The policeman added that, "If we can be assured of decent accommodation and provided with all the needed logistics, the police will work well for the general public to appreciate it.”
The police therefore appealed to the government through the district assembly, to help provide accommodation for the personnel posted to the district, to facilitate their work.
When the Daily Graphic contacted the Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police DCOP Ofosu Mensah Gyeabour on the issue, he said it was the responsibility of the government to provide accommodation for the police service which was a public institution.
He said Bongo used to have a police station until the people themselves constructed a new structure for a District Police Headquarters, but failed to take into consideration the need for an adjoining police barracks.
The regional commander added that when the building was inspected, the defect was detected and the assembly’s attention was drawn to it.
According to DCOP Gyeabour, the DCE had assured him that the district assembly had planned in its next budget to help find a solution to the problem.
A SECTION OF KASSENA-NANKENA PEOPLE APPEAL ...Against creation of new distric (Page 32)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Navrongo
TRADITIONAL rulers and opinion leaders from the Eastern and Western parts of the present Kassena-Nankana District in the Upper East Region have expressed misgivings about the creation of the Kassena-Nankana West District with Paga as its capital.
In a press statement signed by the chiefs and opinion leaders representing eight towns, namely Chiana, Katiu, Kayoro, Nakong, Sirigu, Mirigu, Kandiga and Nabango, they said they were disappointed that in spite of the several proposals and suggestions sent to the Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment against the creation of the district, the proposal had been sent wholesale to Parliament.
“As much as we dislike engaging the government in a tussle over its development programme, we are mindful of the pain we the majority will suffer when the interest of a selfish minority is upheld,” the statement said.
Signatories to the statement included Pe Oscar Butabi Tayiamu II, Pe J.B. Afagachire II, Pe Felix A. Zangwio, Pe I. K. Ayagitam (regent) and Naba Adumbire, the paramount chiefs of the Kayoro, Nakong, Katiu, Chiana and Sirigu Traditional Areas respectively.
The rest were Naba John Abisa Atasige, Naba Henry Amenga-Etego, Naba Atuguba, the paramount chiefs of Mirigu Kandiga and Nabango Traditional Areas respectively, as well as Ms Aniba Simple John, member of the West Zone Development, and Mr Azuponga, an elected Assembly Member and Chairman of the Chiana Town Council.
The statement contended that the creation of the new district would inflict untold hardships on the people of the eight towns. It said if the situation persisted, majority of the people would be denied active participation in political activities.
The people also argued that development would also be highly concentrated in the smallest and least populated areas to the detriment of the greater majority.
They are, therefore, calling on the government to suspend the creation of the new district and instead elevate the current Kassena-Nankana District Assembly to a municipal status.
“We are determined to be part of an elevated municipal assembly of the present Kassena-Nankana District Assembly,” they stressed.
TRADITIONAL rulers and opinion leaders from the Eastern and Western parts of the present Kassena-Nankana District in the Upper East Region have expressed misgivings about the creation of the Kassena-Nankana West District with Paga as its capital.
In a press statement signed by the chiefs and opinion leaders representing eight towns, namely Chiana, Katiu, Kayoro, Nakong, Sirigu, Mirigu, Kandiga and Nabango, they said they were disappointed that in spite of the several proposals and suggestions sent to the Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment against the creation of the district, the proposal had been sent wholesale to Parliament.
“As much as we dislike engaging the government in a tussle over its development programme, we are mindful of the pain we the majority will suffer when the interest of a selfish minority is upheld,” the statement said.
Signatories to the statement included Pe Oscar Butabi Tayiamu II, Pe J.B. Afagachire II, Pe Felix A. Zangwio, Pe I. K. Ayagitam (regent) and Naba Adumbire, the paramount chiefs of the Kayoro, Nakong, Katiu, Chiana and Sirigu Traditional Areas respectively.
The rest were Naba John Abisa Atasige, Naba Henry Amenga-Etego, Naba Atuguba, the paramount chiefs of Mirigu Kandiga and Nabango Traditional Areas respectively, as well as Ms Aniba Simple John, member of the West Zone Development, and Mr Azuponga, an elected Assembly Member and Chairman of the Chiana Town Council.
The statement contended that the creation of the new district would inflict untold hardships on the people of the eight towns. It said if the situation persisted, majority of the people would be denied active participation in political activities.
The people also argued that development would also be highly concentrated in the smallest and least populated areas to the detriment of the greater majority.
They are, therefore, calling on the government to suspend the creation of the new district and instead elevate the current Kassena-Nankana District Assembly to a municipal status.
“We are determined to be part of an elevated municipal assembly of the present Kassena-Nankana District Assembly,” they stressed.
MODEL SCHOOL COMPLEX FOR MELIGA COMMUNITY (PAGE 29)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Gawu
A sod-cutting ceremony has been held for the construction of a model school complex for the Meliga community in the Garu-Tempane District in the Upper East Region.
The project is being funded by the Republic of Korea branch of the World Vision International (WVI), a non governmental organisation (NGO), at a total cost of $118,000.
When completed, it will provide classrooms for pupils from Kindergarten, through primary to Junior High School (JHS). It will also have a staff common room, a kitchen, and washrooms.
The gesture forms part of the NGO’s initiative of supporting children in the deprived community who hitherto were having their lessons in dilapidated structures and even under trees.
Addressing the ceremony, the leader of the 18-member Korean delegation from the World Vision International, Mr Im Juag Gun, who is also an educationist, said the gesture formed part of his organisation’s efforts at providing a conducive environment for the children to study.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Garu-Tempane, Mr Emmanuel Syn-net Asigri, said the day marked yet another milestone in their quest to develop the human resource base of their district through the provision of quality educational infrastructure.
He described the beginning of the project as historical as it was the first of its kind in the district and appealed to them to ensure the safety of the contractors and also exhibit a high sense of diligence.
The DCE described the gesture as timely and commended the Korean delegation for the initiative, which, he said, would bring great relief to the people.
He seized the opportunity to express his appreciation to the Catholic Relief Services for complementing the government’s School Feeding Programme by feeding the pupils at Meliga.
The District Director of Education, Mr Eugene Zongo-Naah Domah, on behalf of the people, expressed appreciation to WVI and the people of Korea.
The Korean delegation also donated teaching and learning materials and footballs, as well as Taekwando kits, all valued at about $1,500, to the school.
The delegation was accompanied by the acting Associate Director of WVI in charge of the northern sector of the country, Mr Daniel Salifu Danse.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Philip Issaka, said the provision of the new school for the community would improve teaching and learning in the school, which now had a total student population of 765.
A sod-cutting ceremony has been held for the construction of a model school complex for the Meliga community in the Garu-Tempane District in the Upper East Region.
The project is being funded by the Republic of Korea branch of the World Vision International (WVI), a non governmental organisation (NGO), at a total cost of $118,000.
When completed, it will provide classrooms for pupils from Kindergarten, through primary to Junior High School (JHS). It will also have a staff common room, a kitchen, and washrooms.
The gesture forms part of the NGO’s initiative of supporting children in the deprived community who hitherto were having their lessons in dilapidated structures and even under trees.
Addressing the ceremony, the leader of the 18-member Korean delegation from the World Vision International, Mr Im Juag Gun, who is also an educationist, said the gesture formed part of his organisation’s efforts at providing a conducive environment for the children to study.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Garu-Tempane, Mr Emmanuel Syn-net Asigri, said the day marked yet another milestone in their quest to develop the human resource base of their district through the provision of quality educational infrastructure.
He described the beginning of the project as historical as it was the first of its kind in the district and appealed to them to ensure the safety of the contractors and also exhibit a high sense of diligence.
The DCE described the gesture as timely and commended the Korean delegation for the initiative, which, he said, would bring great relief to the people.
He seized the opportunity to express his appreciation to the Catholic Relief Services for complementing the government’s School Feeding Programme by feeding the pupils at Meliga.
The District Director of Education, Mr Eugene Zongo-Naah Domah, on behalf of the people, expressed appreciation to WVI and the people of Korea.
The Korean delegation also donated teaching and learning materials and footballs, as well as Taekwando kits, all valued at about $1,500, to the school.
The delegation was accompanied by the acting Associate Director of WVI in charge of the northern sector of the country, Mr Daniel Salifu Danse.
The Headmaster of the school, Mr Philip Issaka, said the provision of the new school for the community would improve teaching and learning in the school, which now had a total student population of 765.
MINISTRY SUPPORT FLOOD VICTIMS (PAGE 17)
STORY: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
The Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs on Wednesday presented food items for distribution to victims of the recent flood disaster that devastated the Upper East Region.
The beneficiaries of the relief package — made up of 20 bags each of rice and maize, cartons of soap and a quantity of used clothing — were mostly women and children.
Presenting the items on behalf of the sector minister, Hajia Alima Mahama, the Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Women, Ms Paulina Abayage, noted that though the flood might have come and gone; the after effects were quite visible hence the decision of the ministry to come to the aid of the people.
She said although the items might not be enough to reach everyone, she was hopeful that the items would go a long way to mitigate the suffering of the people.
The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia, who received the donation on behalf of the people, commended the ministry for its support and gave the assurance that the items would reach the beneficiaries.
The Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs on Wednesday presented food items for distribution to victims of the recent flood disaster that devastated the Upper East Region.
The beneficiaries of the relief package — made up of 20 bags each of rice and maize, cartons of soap and a quantity of used clothing — were mostly women and children.
Presenting the items on behalf of the sector minister, Hajia Alima Mahama, the Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Women, Ms Paulina Abayage, noted that though the flood might have come and gone; the after effects were quite visible hence the decision of the ministry to come to the aid of the people.
She said although the items might not be enough to reach everyone, she was hopeful that the items would go a long way to mitigate the suffering of the people.
The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia, who received the donation on behalf of the people, commended the ministry for its support and gave the assurance that the items would reach the beneficiaries.
BOLGA PRESBY CHURCH ASSISTS WIDOW (PAGE 29)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Gambigo
THE Peniel Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in the Bolgatanga Municipality in the Upper East Region has donated a GH¢3,000 house to a widow, Mrs Mary Achella, whose husband died while in the active service of the church.
The three-bedroom house, with a kitchen and a bathroom attached to it, is located at Gambigo, a suburb of Bolgatanga.
The husband of the woman, Mr Samuel Achella, who was the catchiest in charge of the Bongo congregation, died about 10 years ago while travelling to attend a church function.
At a brief ceremony to hand over the house, a Senior Presbyter of the Church, Mr Emmanuel Mensah, said the gesture was a demonstration of the church’s appreciation of the dedicated services the late Mr Achella rendered to the church.
He stated that in addition to the facility, the church had taken it upon itself to support the widow and her children with a monthly unspecified amount of money to sustain them.
A former Presbyter of the church, Mr Vincent M. Chaitey, advised the widow to live in peace with the people in her new environment.
He also urged her not to hesitate to contact the church for any assistant.
The District Minister of the church, Rev Fei Hyeamang, also in charge of the Peniel Congregation, dedicated the facility to the Lord and prayed for the family,.
Mrs Achella was grateful to the church for the gesture and described the donation as a demonstration of God’s love .
THE Peniel Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in the Bolgatanga Municipality in the Upper East Region has donated a GH¢3,000 house to a widow, Mrs Mary Achella, whose husband died while in the active service of the church.
The three-bedroom house, with a kitchen and a bathroom attached to it, is located at Gambigo, a suburb of Bolgatanga.
The husband of the woman, Mr Samuel Achella, who was the catchiest in charge of the Bongo congregation, died about 10 years ago while travelling to attend a church function.
At a brief ceremony to hand over the house, a Senior Presbyter of the Church, Mr Emmanuel Mensah, said the gesture was a demonstration of the church’s appreciation of the dedicated services the late Mr Achella rendered to the church.
He stated that in addition to the facility, the church had taken it upon itself to support the widow and her children with a monthly unspecified amount of money to sustain them.
A former Presbyter of the church, Mr Vincent M. Chaitey, advised the widow to live in peace with the people in her new environment.
He also urged her not to hesitate to contact the church for any assistant.
The District Minister of the church, Rev Fei Hyeamang, also in charge of the Peniel Congregation, dedicated the facility to the Lord and prayed for the family,.
Mrs Achella was grateful to the church for the gesture and described the donation as a demonstration of God’s love .
BAWKU NEEDS PEACE ...Chiefs, opinion leaders told (Back Page)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bawku
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, and the General Officer Commanding the Northern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier-General Joseph Adinkrah, have reminded chiefs and opinion leaders in the Bawku Municipality that they have a crucial role to play in the attainment of peace in the area.
They have also called on journalists both within and outside the region to discharge their duties with a high sense of professionalism and refrain from doing anything that would derail efforts at attaining peace in the area.
Mr Samari and Brigadier General Adinkrah gave the advice at Bawku last Thursday after a tour of the area to assess the security situation on the ground after last Wednesday’s violence in the area.
The regional minister pointed out that without peace, there could be no development, adding that since the conflict erupted in the area, development efforts in the whole region had been hampered.
“I will, therefore, appeal to everybody to lay down his or her arms so that we can all sit down to dialogue,” he said.
He said as part of a peace process, a meeting involving all the stakeholders in the conflict would be held at Bolgatanga on Monday.
Mr Samari urged the military and police personnel on the ground to remain united and gave the assurance that the Regional Co-ordinating Council would do all it could to address their needs.
For his part, Brigadier Adinkrah asked the chiefs and opinion leaders to “give hope to the youth by ensuring that there is always peace on the ground”.
Shifting his attention to the role of the security agencies in the maintenance of peace in Bawku, Brigadier-General Adinkrah said the military and the police were playing a neutral role and that no one should “try to knock our heads”.
“We are committed to ensuring that peace returns to Bawku,” he added.
Capt. Victor Abbey, Officer Commanding ABF Bawku Detachment, who briefed the delegation, denied that three people died in the latest fighting which broke out on Wednesday.
He urged the media to always cross-check their facts with the appropriate authorities, adding that a media pool had been opened in Bawku from where information on the conflict could be assessed.
According to Captain Abbey, life was gradually returning to normal in Bawku until last week when some incidents happened, which triggered off the violence.
He mentioned the seizure of motorbikes, assault and murders as some of the incidents that were threatening the peace in the area. He, however, indicated that the security agencies had assumed full control of the situation.
He said since the recent violence, six persons had been arrested by the joint military and police patrols and handed over to the police.
The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Abdulai Abanga; the Upper East Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ofosu Mensah Gyeabour; and the NPP parliamentary candidate for Bawku Central, Mr Adamu Daramani, were all present at the meeting.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, and the General Officer Commanding the Northern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier-General Joseph Adinkrah, have reminded chiefs and opinion leaders in the Bawku Municipality that they have a crucial role to play in the attainment of peace in the area.
They have also called on journalists both within and outside the region to discharge their duties with a high sense of professionalism and refrain from doing anything that would derail efforts at attaining peace in the area.
Mr Samari and Brigadier General Adinkrah gave the advice at Bawku last Thursday after a tour of the area to assess the security situation on the ground after last Wednesday’s violence in the area.
The regional minister pointed out that without peace, there could be no development, adding that since the conflict erupted in the area, development efforts in the whole region had been hampered.
“I will, therefore, appeal to everybody to lay down his or her arms so that we can all sit down to dialogue,” he said.
He said as part of a peace process, a meeting involving all the stakeholders in the conflict would be held at Bolgatanga on Monday.
Mr Samari urged the military and police personnel on the ground to remain united and gave the assurance that the Regional Co-ordinating Council would do all it could to address their needs.
For his part, Brigadier Adinkrah asked the chiefs and opinion leaders to “give hope to the youth by ensuring that there is always peace on the ground”.
Shifting his attention to the role of the security agencies in the maintenance of peace in Bawku, Brigadier-General Adinkrah said the military and the police were playing a neutral role and that no one should “try to knock our heads”.
“We are committed to ensuring that peace returns to Bawku,” he added.
Capt. Victor Abbey, Officer Commanding ABF Bawku Detachment, who briefed the delegation, denied that three people died in the latest fighting which broke out on Wednesday.
He urged the media to always cross-check their facts with the appropriate authorities, adding that a media pool had been opened in Bawku from where information on the conflict could be assessed.
According to Captain Abbey, life was gradually returning to normal in Bawku until last week when some incidents happened, which triggered off the violence.
He mentioned the seizure of motorbikes, assault and murders as some of the incidents that were threatening the peace in the area. He, however, indicated that the security agencies had assumed full control of the situation.
He said since the recent violence, six persons had been arrested by the joint military and police patrols and handed over to the police.
The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Abdulai Abanga; the Upper East Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ofosu Mensah Gyeabour; and the NPP parliamentary candidate for Bawku Central, Mr Adamu Daramani, were all present at the meeting.
Friday, 15 February 2008
DCE COMMENDS SECURITY PERSONNEL (Page 31)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Garu
THE District Chief Executive (DCE) for Garu Tempane in the Upper East Region, Mr Emmanuel Sin-Nyet Asigri, has commended security personnel in the district for restoring peace in the area.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Garu, Mr Asigri underscored the importance of peace to development and stressed that the current favourable and peaceful social and economic climate prevailing in the district would not have been possible without the efforts of the security personnel, the chiefs and opinion leaders.
Just like Bawku and Zabgu, the Garu Tempane District came under a dusk-to-dawn curfew following the recent conflict in neighbouring Bawku. However, the curfew was lifted following an improvement in the general security situation in the area.
He noted that since the curfew was lifted, there had been improvement in socio-economic activities in the area and the people were going about their activities with ease.
He said as a result of the communal violence, socio-economic activities in the area declined, saying that the situation partially affected revenue mobilisation. He added that individuals and businesses of traders and chop bar operators also suffered losses.
He appealed to the people to tolerate one another’s views and opinions and use dialogue, instead of violence, to settle their differences.
He reiterated calls on politicians to refrain from meddling in chieftaincy affairs, stressing that chieftaincy was a very noble and respected institution that must be insulated from politics.
He urged the people to smoke the peace pipe and learn to tolerate one another to advance the development of the district.
THE District Chief Executive (DCE) for Garu Tempane in the Upper East Region, Mr Emmanuel Sin-Nyet Asigri, has commended security personnel in the district for restoring peace in the area.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Garu, Mr Asigri underscored the importance of peace to development and stressed that the current favourable and peaceful social and economic climate prevailing in the district would not have been possible without the efforts of the security personnel, the chiefs and opinion leaders.
Just like Bawku and Zabgu, the Garu Tempane District came under a dusk-to-dawn curfew following the recent conflict in neighbouring Bawku. However, the curfew was lifted following an improvement in the general security situation in the area.
He noted that since the curfew was lifted, there had been improvement in socio-economic activities in the area and the people were going about their activities with ease.
He said as a result of the communal violence, socio-economic activities in the area declined, saying that the situation partially affected revenue mobilisation. He added that individuals and businesses of traders and chop bar operators also suffered losses.
He appealed to the people to tolerate one another’s views and opinions and use dialogue, instead of violence, to settle their differences.
He reiterated calls on politicians to refrain from meddling in chieftaincy affairs, stressing that chieftaincy was a very noble and respected institution that must be insulated from politics.
He urged the people to smoke the peace pipe and learn to tolerate one another to advance the development of the district.
FORMER HEADMASTER INJURED IN BAWKU CONFLICT (Page 34)
Story: Benjamin Glover and Samuel Abaane, Bolgatanga
A victim in Wednesday’s ethnic conflict in Bawku has been identified as Mr Alhassan Gbanwaa, a former Headmaster of Bawku Secondary Technical School. He has been air-lifted to Accra for further treatment.
Mr Gbanwaa was said to have sustained severe head injuries following an attack on him in the wake of Wednesday’s conflict.
A military helicopter flew in from Tamale to convey Mr Gbanwaa , whose condition was said to be stable, to Accra .
At the Bolgatanga Sports Stadium to supervise the process was the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari and members of the Regional Security Committee (REGSEC).
Mr Gbanwaa, also known as Teacher Rokes, 53, was accosted by a group of people while on his way home after attending a meeting in town.
Reports say while riding a motor bike home, his former student called him and in his attempt to engage the student in a chat, a mob pounced on him and subjected him to severe beating.
He was, however, rescued by some security personnel and rushed to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital.
In a related development, one Mr Dahamani Eliasu, who was also attacked and inflicted with knife wounds, has been admitted to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital.
Mr Dahamani was on his way to Pusiga from Accra and was allegedly stabbed several times as he was boarding a vehicle in Bawku. Doctors at the hospital have stated that his condition is stable.
Meanwhile, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari and members of the REGSEC visited Bawku yesterday to assess the security situation on the ground.
A tour of the town revealed that there was an uneasy calm prevailing in the area while security personnel had intensified their patrols to contain the situation.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Bawku, Mr Abdulai Abanga, as well as officials at the Presbyterian Hospital in Bawku, denied the number of deaths in some media reports.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Victor Seth Agbetornyo, said the incident started on Tuesday, between 6.00p.m. and 6:30 p.m. with sounds of gunshots around Sabongedi, reports Samuel Abaane.
He said two unidentified people were alleged to have carried out the shooting. However, when security personnel arrived at the scene, the people took to their heels.
He added that empty shells and one live ammunition, believed to be that of an AK 47, was found at the place the incident occurred, but no one was arrested that night.
He said on the following morning (Wednesday), sporadic gunshots were heard around that same area, and around 12:00 noon, Alhassan Yirimeah, who was riding a motorbike from the municipal assembly offices towards the Bawku township, was attacked by a group of young men who knocked him off the motorbike.
He was, however, rescued while in critical condition and rushed to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital where he was receiving treatment.
A victim in Wednesday’s ethnic conflict in Bawku has been identified as Mr Alhassan Gbanwaa, a former Headmaster of Bawku Secondary Technical School. He has been air-lifted to Accra for further treatment.
Mr Gbanwaa was said to have sustained severe head injuries following an attack on him in the wake of Wednesday’s conflict.
A military helicopter flew in from Tamale to convey Mr Gbanwaa , whose condition was said to be stable, to Accra .
At the Bolgatanga Sports Stadium to supervise the process was the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari and members of the Regional Security Committee (REGSEC).
Mr Gbanwaa, also known as Teacher Rokes, 53, was accosted by a group of people while on his way home after attending a meeting in town.
Reports say while riding a motor bike home, his former student called him and in his attempt to engage the student in a chat, a mob pounced on him and subjected him to severe beating.
He was, however, rescued by some security personnel and rushed to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital.
In a related development, one Mr Dahamani Eliasu, who was also attacked and inflicted with knife wounds, has been admitted to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital.
Mr Dahamani was on his way to Pusiga from Accra and was allegedly stabbed several times as he was boarding a vehicle in Bawku. Doctors at the hospital have stated that his condition is stable.
Meanwhile, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari and members of the REGSEC visited Bawku yesterday to assess the security situation on the ground.
A tour of the town revealed that there was an uneasy calm prevailing in the area while security personnel had intensified their patrols to contain the situation.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Bawku, Mr Abdulai Abanga, as well as officials at the Presbyterian Hospital in Bawku, denied the number of deaths in some media reports.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Victor Seth Agbetornyo, said the incident started on Tuesday, between 6.00p.m. and 6:30 p.m. with sounds of gunshots around Sabongedi, reports Samuel Abaane.
He said two unidentified people were alleged to have carried out the shooting. However, when security personnel arrived at the scene, the people took to their heels.
He added that empty shells and one live ammunition, believed to be that of an AK 47, was found at the place the incident occurred, but no one was arrested that night.
He said on the following morning (Wednesday), sporadic gunshots were heard around that same area, and around 12:00 noon, Alhassan Yirimeah, who was riding a motorbike from the municipal assembly offices towards the Bawku township, was attacked by a group of young men who knocked him off the motorbike.
He was, however, rescued while in critical condition and rushed to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital where he was receiving treatment.
Thursday, 14 February 2008
HELP CARE FOR QUADRUPLETS .... PAGE 43
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Chiana
A COUPLE at Chiana-Kanania, a farming community near Chiana in the Upper East Region have made a passionate appeal to philanthropic organisations and individuals to support them to take care of a set of quadruplets they had two-and-a-half years ago.
The couple made the appeal when the Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Women of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, Madam Paulina Abayage, visited them in their home last Friday.
They told the Daily Graphic that because of their high poverty level, coupled with the flood disaster that struck the entire region last year, their main problem was taking care of the children in terms of feeding.
They maintained that as a result of their inability to purchase food, the children, all males, had had to depend solely on breast milk.
Making the appeal, the children’s mother, Madam Comfort Abalagijira, said two of the children had been chronically malnourished since they were born, while the other two had not been able to walk.
Madam Abalagijira, who was delivered of the children in the house because her husband could not afford to send her to the hospital, narrated the ordeal she went through two-and-a-half years ago.
She said she had not been made aware that she was going to have quadruplets but after she had been delivered of the first baby, she felt she was still in labour. She pushed again and the remaining three came one after another.
Soon after the fourth one came out, she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. The babies were also taken to a nearby clinic and later transferred to the Navrongo Hospital.
Madam Abayage reiterated the appeal by the couple for food and also called for food supplements such as vitamins. She presented one maxi-bag of rice, a bag of maize, a half carton of Key bar soap and assorted used children’s clothing to the couple.
A COUPLE at Chiana-Kanania, a farming community near Chiana in the Upper East Region have made a passionate appeal to philanthropic organisations and individuals to support them to take care of a set of quadruplets they had two-and-a-half years ago.
The couple made the appeal when the Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Women of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, Madam Paulina Abayage, visited them in their home last Friday.
They told the Daily Graphic that because of their high poverty level, coupled with the flood disaster that struck the entire region last year, their main problem was taking care of the children in terms of feeding.
They maintained that as a result of their inability to purchase food, the children, all males, had had to depend solely on breast milk.
Making the appeal, the children’s mother, Madam Comfort Abalagijira, said two of the children had been chronically malnourished since they were born, while the other two had not been able to walk.
Madam Abalagijira, who was delivered of the children in the house because her husband could not afford to send her to the hospital, narrated the ordeal she went through two-and-a-half years ago.
She said she had not been made aware that she was going to have quadruplets but after she had been delivered of the first baby, she felt she was still in labour. She pushed again and the remaining three came one after another.
Soon after the fourth one came out, she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. The babies were also taken to a nearby clinic and later transferred to the Navrongo Hospital.
Madam Abayage reiterated the appeal by the couple for food and also called for food supplements such as vitamins. She presented one maxi-bag of rice, a bag of maize, a half carton of Key bar soap and assorted used children’s clothing to the couple.
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
MAN IN COURT OVER ILLEGAL AMMUNITION (Page 14)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
A 35-YEAR-OLD man, who is believed to be the source of the 11,175 pieces of live AA and BB cartridges which were intercepted by the police at Binduri, near Bawku in the Upper East Region, has appeared before the district court in Bolgatanga.
Musa Lasisi, whose plea was not taken when he made the appearance in court on Monday, was remanded in prison custody to re-appear on February 25, this year.
He was charged with possessing ammunition without lawful authority, contrary to section 196(1) of Act 29/60 as amended by paragraph two of NLCD 396.
When the case was called, the prosecutor, Detective Inspector John Agyuah, prayed the court, presided over by Mr Hakeem Osman to remand the suspect in custody to enable the police to conduct further investigation, to which the court obliged.
It will be recalled that the police, on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, intercepted a commercial vehicle, a 55-seater Mercedes Benz bus with registration number GS 2223 Y, on which the ammunition ,concealed in nine cartons, were hidden.
The bus was said to be travelling from Kumasi to Bawku, where a ban has been placed on the possession of firearms and ammunition.
This led to the arrest of the driver, one Emmanuel Owusu Baako, 28, and two others, Stephen Antwi, 27, a spare driver and Kofi Fosu, 28, a driver’s mate.
After interrogation, the three, who are currently in police custody, mentioned Musa, who was later arrested in Kumasi and brought to Bolgatanga to assist with the investigations.
A 35-YEAR-OLD man, who is believed to be the source of the 11,175 pieces of live AA and BB cartridges which were intercepted by the police at Binduri, near Bawku in the Upper East Region, has appeared before the district court in Bolgatanga.
Musa Lasisi, whose plea was not taken when he made the appearance in court on Monday, was remanded in prison custody to re-appear on February 25, this year.
He was charged with possessing ammunition without lawful authority, contrary to section 196(1) of Act 29/60 as amended by paragraph two of NLCD 396.
When the case was called, the prosecutor, Detective Inspector John Agyuah, prayed the court, presided over by Mr Hakeem Osman to remand the suspect in custody to enable the police to conduct further investigation, to which the court obliged.
It will be recalled that the police, on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, intercepted a commercial vehicle, a 55-seater Mercedes Benz bus with registration number GS 2223 Y, on which the ammunition ,concealed in nine cartons, were hidden.
The bus was said to be travelling from Kumasi to Bawku, where a ban has been placed on the possession of firearms and ammunition.
This led to the arrest of the driver, one Emmanuel Owusu Baako, 28, and two others, Stephen Antwi, 27, a spare driver and Kofi Fosu, 28, a driver’s mate.
After interrogation, the three, who are currently in police custody, mentioned Musa, who was later arrested in Kumasi and brought to Bolgatanga to assist with the investigations.
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
LOSS TO LIONS SHOCK BOLGA FANS (Graphic Sports, Page 4)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
Last Thursday night could aptly be described as the longest night for soccer fans and casual followers of the game in the
Bolgatanga municipality.
Contrary to the wild celebrations that characterised previous matches of the Black Stars in the just-ended Cup of Nations tourney, last Thursday’s defeat to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun virtually put soccer fans in the Bolgatanga municipality to sleep rather too early.
The streets were dead silent and a few people who were spotted could just not comprehend what hit the Stars.
Speaking to the Graphic Sports the morning after the game, a section of the football enthusiasts commended the team for putting up a brave fight against the Camerounians, but bemoaned the missed scoring chances.
Stephen Nsobilah, a teacher, said the absence of a central defender cast in the mould of captain John Mensah who was serving suspension cost the team a great deal.
He was of the opinion that rather than keeping Shilla Illiasu and Ahmed Barusso on the bench, the coach should have brought them on and push Michael Essien into the midfield to create the chances for the attackers to score.
Ms Leah Salifu, a National Service Person, said though very painful, Ghanaians should accept the outcome of the game.
“It’s a game so all must accept the outcome; some teams have taken an early exit and if it’s our turn to go home Ghanaians must accept the results,” she said.
Gifty Amoshie, a radio presenter, said so painful was the defeat that she could not take dinner.
She, however, wished the Stars well in their future engagements.
A stationary dealer who only gave his name as Derrick urged the GFA not to rush into hasty measures, but rather take a critical look at the performance of the team and, if possible, retain the coach to ensure a sustained development performance in the future.
Last Thursday night could aptly be described as the longest night for soccer fans and casual followers of the game in the
Bolgatanga municipality.
Contrary to the wild celebrations that characterised previous matches of the Black Stars in the just-ended Cup of Nations tourney, last Thursday’s defeat to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun virtually put soccer fans in the Bolgatanga municipality to sleep rather too early.
The streets were dead silent and a few people who were spotted could just not comprehend what hit the Stars.
Speaking to the Graphic Sports the morning after the game, a section of the football enthusiasts commended the team for putting up a brave fight against the Camerounians, but bemoaned the missed scoring chances.
Stephen Nsobilah, a teacher, said the absence of a central defender cast in the mould of captain John Mensah who was serving suspension cost the team a great deal.
He was of the opinion that rather than keeping Shilla Illiasu and Ahmed Barusso on the bench, the coach should have brought them on and push Michael Essien into the midfield to create the chances for the attackers to score.
Ms Leah Salifu, a National Service Person, said though very painful, Ghanaians should accept the outcome of the game.
“It’s a game so all must accept the outcome; some teams have taken an early exit and if it’s our turn to go home Ghanaians must accept the results,” she said.
Gifty Amoshie, a radio presenter, said so painful was the defeat that she could not take dinner.
She, however, wished the Stars well in their future engagements.
A stationary dealer who only gave his name as Derrick urged the GFA not to rush into hasty measures, but rather take a critical look at the performance of the team and, if possible, retain the coach to ensure a sustained development performance in the future.
160 STREET CHILDREN RE-UNITED WITH FAMILIES (PAGE 20)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
AFRIKIDS Ghana, a charity organisation based in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region that works for the welfare of children, has re-united a total of 160 children with their families in the region.
Under a project code-named “Operation Fresh Start”, the children, who were mostly engaged in menial jobs in the southern part of Ghana, particularly in Kumasi, have been enrolled in various vocational programmes.
The Project Manager, Mr Cletus Anaaya, told the Daily Graphic at Bolgatanga at the end of a day’s stakeholders forum on child trafficking, streetism and child labour, that a research conducted by AfriKids Ghana into the origin and living conditions of children on the streets of Kumasi in April, 2005, found out that many of the victims hailed from the Upper East Region.
He said based on the findings, AfriKids Ghana decided to launch “Operation Fresh Start” in partnership with the Neglect Foundation, a Kumasi-based NGO, and the result was the relocation of 10 children from Kumasi to their families in Bolgatanga.
He said the children were later enrolled in various vocational training institutions such as hairdressing, dressmaking and auto-mechanic.
“All these children were engaged in menial jobs around the race course area in Kumasi, and we thought that they did not have a good future with those temporary jobs so we decided to send them home to be rehabilitated,” Mr Anaaya stressed.
He stated that the seminar was aimed at interacting with other stakeholders who were engaged in similar projects, to solicit ideas in order to fashion appropriate and comprehensive package to ensure that the trainees lived independent life after graduation.
Mr Anaaya said in view of the success of the pilot phase, the Big Lottery Fund offered AfriKids some funds that enabled the organisation to scale up the project.
“To date we have helped 160 children to join their families, who are undergoing apprenticeship programmes,” he stated.
According to Mr Anaaya, the project was currently operational in three districts, namely Bolgatanga Municipality, and Tongo and Bongo districts.
On the challenges posed by the programme, Mr Anaaya said, “It has not been easy running this programme. Indeed there are very teething challenges that we are confronted with, especially, the poverty levels of the members of families of these children.”
He said, “Some of the children have become hardened as a result and have acquired the traits they have acquired that were unacceptable,” adding, “The challenge is how to get them accept that they have to do away with such negative attitude in order to fit into the society.”
Mr Anaaya appealed to the administrators in the three districts where the project was currently operating, to try to support the programme.
AFRIKIDS Ghana, a charity organisation based in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region that works for the welfare of children, has re-united a total of 160 children with their families in the region.
Under a project code-named “Operation Fresh Start”, the children, who were mostly engaged in menial jobs in the southern part of Ghana, particularly in Kumasi, have been enrolled in various vocational programmes.
The Project Manager, Mr Cletus Anaaya, told the Daily Graphic at Bolgatanga at the end of a day’s stakeholders forum on child trafficking, streetism and child labour, that a research conducted by AfriKids Ghana into the origin and living conditions of children on the streets of Kumasi in April, 2005, found out that many of the victims hailed from the Upper East Region.
He said based on the findings, AfriKids Ghana decided to launch “Operation Fresh Start” in partnership with the Neglect Foundation, a Kumasi-based NGO, and the result was the relocation of 10 children from Kumasi to their families in Bolgatanga.
He said the children were later enrolled in various vocational training institutions such as hairdressing, dressmaking and auto-mechanic.
“All these children were engaged in menial jobs around the race course area in Kumasi, and we thought that they did not have a good future with those temporary jobs so we decided to send them home to be rehabilitated,” Mr Anaaya stressed.
He stated that the seminar was aimed at interacting with other stakeholders who were engaged in similar projects, to solicit ideas in order to fashion appropriate and comprehensive package to ensure that the trainees lived independent life after graduation.
Mr Anaaya said in view of the success of the pilot phase, the Big Lottery Fund offered AfriKids some funds that enabled the organisation to scale up the project.
“To date we have helped 160 children to join their families, who are undergoing apprenticeship programmes,” he stated.
According to Mr Anaaya, the project was currently operational in three districts, namely Bolgatanga Municipality, and Tongo and Bongo districts.
On the challenges posed by the programme, Mr Anaaya said, “It has not been easy running this programme. Indeed there are very teething challenges that we are confronted with, especially, the poverty levels of the members of families of these children.”
He said, “Some of the children have become hardened as a result and have acquired the traits they have acquired that were unacceptable,” adding, “The challenge is how to get them accept that they have to do away with such negative attitude in order to fit into the society.”
Mr Anaaya appealed to the administrators in the three districts where the project was currently operating, to try to support the programme.
Monday, 11 February 2008
GROUP CALLS FOR INVESTIGATIONS INTO BAWKU KILLINGS (Page 39)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
Some concerned citizens of Bawku in the Upper East Region have appealed to the government to institute immediate investigations into the recent secret murders in the area.
They have also entreated the security agencies on the ground to be proactive to prevent the killings in the area.
Making the appeal at Bolgatanga, a youth activist, Mr Mohammed Tahiru Nambe, said if immediate measures were not taken to arrest the culprits the security of the Bawku township would be further jeopardised.
According to Mr Nambe, on January 2 this year, one Bugri S. Bukari was abducted and brutally murdered at Sabongeri, a suburb of Bawku.
He said following that incident, a number of motorbikes had been snatched at gunpoint at the same suburb, which is gradually becoming a no-go area.
“Each of these incidents has been reported to the police and nothing significant has been done to protect innocent people,” he alleged.
He said on February 5, this year, a 23-year-old man, motor taxi operator or “okada man” and a known NPP activist, Mr Faisal Musah Bawume, was lynched by thugs at the same suburb and his bike taken from him.
Mr Nambe explained that the deceased was on his way from Missiga with a passenger when he was attacked and met his untimely death.
“These dastardly acts have been well planned, calculated, designed by thugs and cowards who do not comprehend the democratic era we find ourselves in,” he stressed. He said the perpetrators of this cowardice and barbaric act should bury their heads in shame and know that there was no way that lies should vanquish over truth.
He said it had become apparent that the peripheries of Bawku had become lawless and there was absolute absence of order and reasoning. “Survival of the fittest has become the order of the day,” he emphasised.
Mr Nambe alleged that no arrest had so far been made by the police since ceasefire was declared in the area on January 3, this year.
“About 99.9 per cent of the cases reported to the police is meted out to innocent people at the outskirts with impunity. The security apparatus seem not to be doing enough to bring the situation under control,” he alleged.
He said people in the Bawku township irrespective of their ethnic and religious background were likely to be lynched when they travelled out of the township.
Reacting to the story, a police source at Bawku gave the assurance that the police and related security agencies were monitoring the situation and had taken several measures to contain it.
Meanwhile, the NPP aspiring parliamentary candidate for the Bawku Central Constituency in the Upper East Region, Mr Adamu Daramani, has expressed concern over the unstable security conditions prevailing in the Bawku township.
Citing the recent death of Faisal Bawume (the NPP activist), Mr Daramani said unlike the past when the conflict was limited to differences between Mamprusis and Kusasis, the present situation went beyond the two tribes, extending to political differences.
He has, therefore, appealed to the government to sit up and tackle the problem.
Mr Daramani said “Bawku is a major trading town but with what is going on now, things are grounding to a halt. Trading activities are not as vibrant as they used to be, schools are not functioning effectively and anxiety seems to have taken a better part of the people.
Some concerned citizens of Bawku in the Upper East Region have appealed to the government to institute immediate investigations into the recent secret murders in the area.
They have also entreated the security agencies on the ground to be proactive to prevent the killings in the area.
Making the appeal at Bolgatanga, a youth activist, Mr Mohammed Tahiru Nambe, said if immediate measures were not taken to arrest the culprits the security of the Bawku township would be further jeopardised.
According to Mr Nambe, on January 2 this year, one Bugri S. Bukari was abducted and brutally murdered at Sabongeri, a suburb of Bawku.
He said following that incident, a number of motorbikes had been snatched at gunpoint at the same suburb, which is gradually becoming a no-go area.
“Each of these incidents has been reported to the police and nothing significant has been done to protect innocent people,” he alleged.
He said on February 5, this year, a 23-year-old man, motor taxi operator or “okada man” and a known NPP activist, Mr Faisal Musah Bawume, was lynched by thugs at the same suburb and his bike taken from him.
Mr Nambe explained that the deceased was on his way from Missiga with a passenger when he was attacked and met his untimely death.
“These dastardly acts have been well planned, calculated, designed by thugs and cowards who do not comprehend the democratic era we find ourselves in,” he stressed. He said the perpetrators of this cowardice and barbaric act should bury their heads in shame and know that there was no way that lies should vanquish over truth.
He said it had become apparent that the peripheries of Bawku had become lawless and there was absolute absence of order and reasoning. “Survival of the fittest has become the order of the day,” he emphasised.
Mr Nambe alleged that no arrest had so far been made by the police since ceasefire was declared in the area on January 3, this year.
“About 99.9 per cent of the cases reported to the police is meted out to innocent people at the outskirts with impunity. The security apparatus seem not to be doing enough to bring the situation under control,” he alleged.
He said people in the Bawku township irrespective of their ethnic and religious background were likely to be lynched when they travelled out of the township.
Reacting to the story, a police source at Bawku gave the assurance that the police and related security agencies were monitoring the situation and had taken several measures to contain it.
Meanwhile, the NPP aspiring parliamentary candidate for the Bawku Central Constituency in the Upper East Region, Mr Adamu Daramani, has expressed concern over the unstable security conditions prevailing in the Bawku township.
Citing the recent death of Faisal Bawume (the NPP activist), Mr Daramani said unlike the past when the conflict was limited to differences between Mamprusis and Kusasis, the present situation went beyond the two tribes, extending to political differences.
He has, therefore, appealed to the government to sit up and tackle the problem.
Mr Daramani said “Bawku is a major trading town but with what is going on now, things are grounding to a halt. Trading activities are not as vibrant as they used to be, schools are not functioning effectively and anxiety seems to have taken a better part of the people.
11,175 CARTRIDGES RETRIEVED IN UPPER EAST (Page 14)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
THE Upper East Regional Police Command has retrieved 11,175 pieces of live cartridges from three suspected persons who were allegedly transporting them to Bawku in the Upper East Region.
The suspects are the driver of the vehicle in which the ammunition was found, Emmanuel Owusu Baako, 28; the spare driver, Stephen Antwi, 27, and the driver’s mate, Kofi Fosu, 28.
The three were on board a commercial bus which was said to be travelling from Kumasi to Bawku, which is currently under curfew, following a dispute that claimed lives and property.
Briefing the press in Bolgatanga last Tuesday, the Upper East Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Ofosu Mensah Gyeabour, said the bus carrying the ammunition was intercepted by the police at the Binduri Police Barrier in the Upper East Region about 6 o’clock in the morning.
He said the ammunition was concealed in nine cartons of Maggi cube boxes and that each of the containers had 50 packets of live BB and AA cartridges.
He said the suspects had been placed in police custody pending further investigations into the matter, while the bus had been impounded.
DCOP Gyeabour revealed that the police, in a close collaboration with their counterparts in Kumasi, had arrested one Sule, a station master in Kumasi where the bus was loaded, to assist with investigations.
In a related development, two persons, namely, Alhassan Hanza, 20, and Sumaila Seidu, 18, both natives of Manga, near Bawku, have also been arrested by the police for possessing locally-manufactured pistols and ammunition.
According to the Upper East Regional Police Commander, the two were arrested at separate police checkpoints in Bawku on February 2 and February 4, this year, respectively.
He said they would soon be arraigned.
He indicated that while some normalcy had returned to Bawku and its surroundings, the police and other security agencies continued to receive information concerning the smuggling of arms to the area.
He said the police would intensify spot checks and diligent searches of all vehicles, motorbikes, donkey carts and persons entering the region and for that matter Bawku and its environs.
THE Upper East Regional Police Command has retrieved 11,175 pieces of live cartridges from three suspected persons who were allegedly transporting them to Bawku in the Upper East Region.
The suspects are the driver of the vehicle in which the ammunition was found, Emmanuel Owusu Baako, 28; the spare driver, Stephen Antwi, 27, and the driver’s mate, Kofi Fosu, 28.
The three were on board a commercial bus which was said to be travelling from Kumasi to Bawku, which is currently under curfew, following a dispute that claimed lives and property.
Briefing the press in Bolgatanga last Tuesday, the Upper East Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Ofosu Mensah Gyeabour, said the bus carrying the ammunition was intercepted by the police at the Binduri Police Barrier in the Upper East Region about 6 o’clock in the morning.
He said the ammunition was concealed in nine cartons of Maggi cube boxes and that each of the containers had 50 packets of live BB and AA cartridges.
He said the suspects had been placed in police custody pending further investigations into the matter, while the bus had been impounded.
DCOP Gyeabour revealed that the police, in a close collaboration with their counterparts in Kumasi, had arrested one Sule, a station master in Kumasi where the bus was loaded, to assist with investigations.
In a related development, two persons, namely, Alhassan Hanza, 20, and Sumaila Seidu, 18, both natives of Manga, near Bawku, have also been arrested by the police for possessing locally-manufactured pistols and ammunition.
According to the Upper East Regional Police Commander, the two were arrested at separate police checkpoints in Bawku on February 2 and February 4, this year, respectively.
He said they would soon be arraigned.
He indicated that while some normalcy had returned to Bawku and its surroundings, the police and other security agencies continued to receive information concerning the smuggling of arms to the area.
He said the police would intensify spot checks and diligent searches of all vehicles, motorbikes, donkey carts and persons entering the region and for that matter Bawku and its environs.
Sunday, 10 February 2008
BAWKU RESIDENTS CELEBRATE BLACK STARS VICTORIES IN HOMES (PAGE 22)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bawku
Ordinarily, the people of Bawku in the Upper East Region would have loved to be on the streets to celebrate a victory of any of the national teams with the tooting of the horns of their motorbikes and cars, but due to the curfew imposed on the town, the celebration is restricted to their various homes.
As a result of the recent conflict in Bawku, the government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the Bawku township. However, following an improvement of the security situation, the curfew time was adjusted from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Some people who spoke to the Daily Graphic at Bawku said although there was a general atmosphere of jubilation in town any time the Black Stars won the match, the jubilation was restricted to the homes of individuals.
One person, who gave his name as Sulemana, said despite the fact that the curfew started from 8 p.m., people were afraid to come out of their homes even after 6 p.m..
He said the curfew had not only affected the social life of the people but it had also taken a toll on the economic activities in the municipality.
Many drinking spots where people usually converged after football matches such as the current Africa Cup of Nations (Ghana 2008) soccer tournament, had recorded a drop in sales as a result of the curfew.
Mr Emmanuel Safo, the owner of Zanamat Drinking Spot at Bawku, said as a result of the curfew, the inhabitants who usually poured into the streets or gathered around the facility to enjoy themselves and demonstrate their happiness with the victory had restricted their jubilation to their respective homes and compounds.
"This has affected sales as the spot does not function like it used to be," he added.
Most of the people who spoke to the Daily Graphic expressed the conviction that the Black Stars would win the coveted trophy.
Ordinarily, the people of Bawku in the Upper East Region would have loved to be on the streets to celebrate a victory of any of the national teams with the tooting of the horns of their motorbikes and cars, but due to the curfew imposed on the town, the celebration is restricted to their various homes.
As a result of the recent conflict in Bawku, the government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the Bawku township. However, following an improvement of the security situation, the curfew time was adjusted from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Some people who spoke to the Daily Graphic at Bawku said although there was a general atmosphere of jubilation in town any time the Black Stars won the match, the jubilation was restricted to the homes of individuals.
One person, who gave his name as Sulemana, said despite the fact that the curfew started from 8 p.m., people were afraid to come out of their homes even after 6 p.m..
He said the curfew had not only affected the social life of the people but it had also taken a toll on the economic activities in the municipality.
Many drinking spots where people usually converged after football matches such as the current Africa Cup of Nations (Ghana 2008) soccer tournament, had recorded a drop in sales as a result of the curfew.
Mr Emmanuel Safo, the owner of Zanamat Drinking Spot at Bawku, said as a result of the curfew, the inhabitants who usually poured into the streets or gathered around the facility to enjoy themselves and demonstrate their happiness with the victory had restricted their jubilation to their respective homes and compounds.
"This has affected sales as the spot does not function like it used to be," he added.
Most of the people who spoke to the Daily Graphic expressed the conviction that the Black Stars would win the coveted trophy.
MAN , 18, KILLED IN PIT (Page 23)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Tango
AN 18-year-old man, Nachinab Wubah, was last Monday trapped to death in mine at the Yenyeya Mining Concession in the Talensi-Nabdam District of the Upper East Region.
Nachinab, a native of Tongo, was alleged to have descended into the pit to fix a fault on a water-pumping machine, which was then in use.
Eyewitnesses at the site believed that the deceased was suffocated by the large amount of smoke emitted by the faulty Honda 5.5HP water pump, which was being used underground to drain the pit.
Kofi Evans, a colleague of the deceased, told the Daily Graphic that at about 7 p.m. on Monday, he came to the edge of the pit and saw Nachinab working on a pumping equipment.
Kofi said Nachinab told him he suspected the pump had developed a fault so he was descending into the pit to mend it.
He added that, contrary to his advice, Nachinab went underground while he left for his home.
According to Kofi, a few minutes later he returned to the pit and when he asked some people around if Nachinab had emerged from the pit, they responded in the negative.
Sensing danger, Kofi said he followed up and on the way, he saw that the area was engulfed in smoke.
He said when he took a closer look in the hole, he spotted his friend lying motionless in the pit.
“I tried to call for help but, unfortunately, the people on the surface could not hear me. All I realised later was that I was on admission at a clinic”, Kofi stated.
Other eyewitnesses at the scene said when they realised that there was danger ahead, they organised themselves and retrieved the body of Nachinab out of the pit.
The Secretary of the Talensi-Nabdam Small Scale Miners Association, Mr Robert Tampoure, blamed the owner of the concession, one Mr Charles Yenyelib, for the death of the young man.
He alleged that instead of allowing his boys to use the appropriate mining equipment provided by the government, Mr Yenyelib parked the equipment in his house in Bolgatanga and resorted to the use of unsuitable machines.
Mr Tampoure called on the Minerals Commission and the police to arrest Mr Yenyelib and bring him to book.
The Regional Mining Officer, Mr Joseph Abew, who visited the site to assess the situation, said his outfit had on several occasions, warned the owner of the concession as well as other miners to desist from using unsuitable equipment.
He said the government, realising the need to improve the operations of small-scale mining, had presented a number of mining equipment worth GH¢230,000 to the various mining groups in the area including the Yenyeya Mining Concession.
The items which were presented in October, 2007, included three electric generating sets, three compressors, jack hammers, drill rods and pumps.
He did not therefore understand why the owner of the pit was not using the equipment but chose to resort to old methods.
When reached on the telephone, Mr Charles Yenyelib denied all the allegations, saying he could not in any way be held responsible for the death of Nachinab whom he claimed had been working with his company over the past five years.
He said he resorted to the use of the Honda 5.5HP water-pumping machine because the equipment provided by the government had not been handed over to him.
He described the death of the young man as unfortunate, adding: “My brother, I am very sad that it happened but these things occur occasionally in the kind of job we do here.”
AN 18-year-old man, Nachinab Wubah, was last Monday trapped to death in mine at the Yenyeya Mining Concession in the Talensi-Nabdam District of the Upper East Region.
Nachinab, a native of Tongo, was alleged to have descended into the pit to fix a fault on a water-pumping machine, which was then in use.
Eyewitnesses at the site believed that the deceased was suffocated by the large amount of smoke emitted by the faulty Honda 5.5HP water pump, which was being used underground to drain the pit.
Kofi Evans, a colleague of the deceased, told the Daily Graphic that at about 7 p.m. on Monday, he came to the edge of the pit and saw Nachinab working on a pumping equipment.
Kofi said Nachinab told him he suspected the pump had developed a fault so he was descending into the pit to mend it.
He added that, contrary to his advice, Nachinab went underground while he left for his home.
According to Kofi, a few minutes later he returned to the pit and when he asked some people around if Nachinab had emerged from the pit, they responded in the negative.
Sensing danger, Kofi said he followed up and on the way, he saw that the area was engulfed in smoke.
He said when he took a closer look in the hole, he spotted his friend lying motionless in the pit.
“I tried to call for help but, unfortunately, the people on the surface could not hear me. All I realised later was that I was on admission at a clinic”, Kofi stated.
Other eyewitnesses at the scene said when they realised that there was danger ahead, they organised themselves and retrieved the body of Nachinab out of the pit.
The Secretary of the Talensi-Nabdam Small Scale Miners Association, Mr Robert Tampoure, blamed the owner of the concession, one Mr Charles Yenyelib, for the death of the young man.
He alleged that instead of allowing his boys to use the appropriate mining equipment provided by the government, Mr Yenyelib parked the equipment in his house in Bolgatanga and resorted to the use of unsuitable machines.
Mr Tampoure called on the Minerals Commission and the police to arrest Mr Yenyelib and bring him to book.
The Regional Mining Officer, Mr Joseph Abew, who visited the site to assess the situation, said his outfit had on several occasions, warned the owner of the concession as well as other miners to desist from using unsuitable equipment.
He said the government, realising the need to improve the operations of small-scale mining, had presented a number of mining equipment worth GH¢230,000 to the various mining groups in the area including the Yenyeya Mining Concession.
The items which were presented in October, 2007, included three electric generating sets, three compressors, jack hammers, drill rods and pumps.
He did not therefore understand why the owner of the pit was not using the equipment but chose to resort to old methods.
When reached on the telephone, Mr Charles Yenyelib denied all the allegations, saying he could not in any way be held responsible for the death of Nachinab whom he claimed had been working with his company over the past five years.
He said he resorted to the use of the Honda 5.5HP water-pumping machine because the equipment provided by the government had not been handed over to him.
He described the death of the young man as unfortunate, adding: “My brother, I am very sad that it happened but these things occur occasionally in the kind of job we do here.”
Thursday, 7 February 2008
Conduct thorough investigation into Bawku Conflict(Daily Graphic, Monday, February 4, 2008 P. 34)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bawku
The Mamprusi Regent of Bawku, Alhaji Ibrahim Adam Zangbeogo has called on the security agencies to conduct thorough investigations into the recent ethnic violence that rocked the Bawku Township.
He said the allusions Bawku Naba, Abugrago Azoka II made at a press conference recently to the effect that it was the Mamprusis which instigated the fight were wrong and that it was only after thorough investigations that the truth would come out.
In a statement read on his behalf by Mr. Mohammed Tahiru Nambe at a press conference in Bawku, Alhaji Zangbeogo said the statement by the Bawku Naba that the Bawku chieftaincy issue had been settled by the Supreme Court was totally misleading and calculated to deceive all stakeholders and the good people of Ghana.
Alhaji Zangbeogo contended that the Supreme Court had not made any ruling on the matter since nothing had been adjudicated upon following an application by the Regent to discontinue the action earlier initiated, with liberty to return.
Alhaji Zangbeogo who indicated that the causes of the Bawku conflict as established by the George Minyila Committee set up in 1984 was over land ownership. “Up till date, Mamprusis who had lived in Zabgu for over 150 years have been prevented from coming to Zabgu and other farmlands”. He therefore called on the government to look into the farmland issue before the rains set in.
He also called for a restructioning of the Samanpiid festival by the chiefs and people of Kusaug, since its celebration has always been characterized with violence.
“We admit that every ethnic group has its festival that must be respected. We will be the first to admit and agree that any such culture or tradition which is an affront to development or causes stir in society must be given a second thought”, he stated.
Alhaji Zangbeogo described attempts by sections of the people the recent conflict to an alleged promise by newly elected NPP flag bearer, Nana Akuffo-Addo to restore the chieftaincy title to the Mamprusis as very unfortunate.
He stressed that those seeking to use Nana Akuffo-Addo name in relation to the conflict will fail. ”This was the same campaign against the then presidential candidate of the NPP, Mr. J.A. Kufour, that when he wins, he will restore the chieftaincy back to the Mamprusis. This campaign made a lot Kusasis antagonistic towards NPP. They are being chased by their own shadows, hence, the renewal of such diabolical campaign against the NPP”, he said.
He expressed his heartfelt condolence to all those who lost a relative during the recent crisis and wish the injured speedy recovery.
He emphasized that the Mamprusis were a peaceful ethnic group, who believed in the conviction that development could only be attained in a peaceful environment, and reaffirmed the commitment of the community not to resort to any act that would mar the atmosphere of tranquility currently prevailing in the Bawku area.
The Mamprusi Regent of Bawku, Alhaji Ibrahim Adam Zangbeogo has called on the security agencies to conduct thorough investigations into the recent ethnic violence that rocked the Bawku Township.
He said the allusions Bawku Naba, Abugrago Azoka II made at a press conference recently to the effect that it was the Mamprusis which instigated the fight were wrong and that it was only after thorough investigations that the truth would come out.
In a statement read on his behalf by Mr. Mohammed Tahiru Nambe at a press conference in Bawku, Alhaji Zangbeogo said the statement by the Bawku Naba that the Bawku chieftaincy issue had been settled by the Supreme Court was totally misleading and calculated to deceive all stakeholders and the good people of Ghana.
Alhaji Zangbeogo contended that the Supreme Court had not made any ruling on the matter since nothing had been adjudicated upon following an application by the Regent to discontinue the action earlier initiated, with liberty to return.
Alhaji Zangbeogo who indicated that the causes of the Bawku conflict as established by the George Minyila Committee set up in 1984 was over land ownership. “Up till date, Mamprusis who had lived in Zabgu for over 150 years have been prevented from coming to Zabgu and other farmlands”. He therefore called on the government to look into the farmland issue before the rains set in.
He also called for a restructioning of the Samanpiid festival by the chiefs and people of Kusaug, since its celebration has always been characterized with violence.
“We admit that every ethnic group has its festival that must be respected. We will be the first to admit and agree that any such culture or tradition which is an affront to development or causes stir in society must be given a second thought”, he stated.
Alhaji Zangbeogo described attempts by sections of the people the recent conflict to an alleged promise by newly elected NPP flag bearer, Nana Akuffo-Addo to restore the chieftaincy title to the Mamprusis as very unfortunate.
He stressed that those seeking to use Nana Akuffo-Addo name in relation to the conflict will fail. ”This was the same campaign against the then presidential candidate of the NPP, Mr. J.A. Kufour, that when he wins, he will restore the chieftaincy back to the Mamprusis. This campaign made a lot Kusasis antagonistic towards NPP. They are being chased by their own shadows, hence, the renewal of such diabolical campaign against the NPP”, he said.
He expressed his heartfelt condolence to all those who lost a relative during the recent crisis and wish the injured speedy recovery.
He emphasized that the Mamprusis were a peaceful ethnic group, who believed in the conviction that development could only be attained in a peaceful environment, and reaffirmed the commitment of the community not to resort to any act that would mar the atmosphere of tranquility currently prevailing in the Bawku area.
Bongo DMHIS exceeds registration target(Daily Graphic, Monday, February 4, 2008 P. 34)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bongo.
THE Bongo District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme in the Upper East Region has exceeded its projected target of registration by 13.05 per cent for last year.
The scheme registered a total number of 43,497 people representing 53.05 per cent of the district’s population. Speaking to,
The Scheme Manager, Mr. Clement Agana Ayamga made this known to the Daily Graphic at Bongo.
He stated that in spite of the numerous challenges facing the operation of the scheme in the district, his outfit was working hard to attain at least a 95 per cent coverage within the next few years.
Mr. Ayamga mentioned some of the challenges facing the scheme in the district as the high poverty level of the people, politicization, and negative cultural practices.
Recounting how the scheme started in October 2004, Mr. Ayamga said the concept took a long time to go down with the people.
“Initially, response to registration was very frustrating, however with intensive public education, total staff commitment and support from collaborators like the District Assembly, DANIDA, the Legal Resource Centre and the National Health Insurance Authority, the story is different today”, he intimated.
According to Mr. Ayamga so far the scheme has expended a total amount of GH c 152, 344.41 (c 1.523, 444, 134.10) on hospital bills for 22,619 clients. In addition a total of GH c 535,412.57 have been mobilized since the inception of the scheme.
He decried some negative practices by some indigenous opinion leaders in the district such whipping up ethnic sentiments and spreading false information about the scheme and cautioned against such attitude.
Mr. Ayamga also bemoaned the attitude of some clients who he alleged were abusing the system by going to the health facilities to feign illness and take drugs for their sick relatives and friends and said such practices stood to weaken the scheme.
“In fact if such practices are not stopped it would have an adverse effect on every single person in the district”, he added.
The Scheme Manager, commended the District Assembly and its Chief Executive, Mr. Francis Asampana as well as the Paramount Chief of the area, Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyaarum for their immense support for the schme in the district.
He disclosed that the under the auspices of Naba Aleemyaarum, and the DCE, a special health fund has been set up and appealed to all sons and daughters of Bongo as well as well-wishers to contribute to the fund to enable the very poor benefit from afforded but quality health care delivery.
He said the management of the scheme has projected 70 per cent coverage of the district population and mobilize GH c1.1 million.
He added that the management will embark on a massive outreach programme including community durbars to whip up interest in the programme.
THE Bongo District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme in the Upper East Region has exceeded its projected target of registration by 13.05 per cent for last year.
The scheme registered a total number of 43,497 people representing 53.05 per cent of the district’s population. Speaking to,
The Scheme Manager, Mr. Clement Agana Ayamga made this known to the Daily Graphic at Bongo.
He stated that in spite of the numerous challenges facing the operation of the scheme in the district, his outfit was working hard to attain at least a 95 per cent coverage within the next few years.
Mr. Ayamga mentioned some of the challenges facing the scheme in the district as the high poverty level of the people, politicization, and negative cultural practices.
Recounting how the scheme started in October 2004, Mr. Ayamga said the concept took a long time to go down with the people.
“Initially, response to registration was very frustrating, however with intensive public education, total staff commitment and support from collaborators like the District Assembly, DANIDA, the Legal Resource Centre and the National Health Insurance Authority, the story is different today”, he intimated.
According to Mr. Ayamga so far the scheme has expended a total amount of GH c 152, 344.41 (c 1.523, 444, 134.10) on hospital bills for 22,619 clients. In addition a total of GH c 535,412.57 have been mobilized since the inception of the scheme.
He decried some negative practices by some indigenous opinion leaders in the district such whipping up ethnic sentiments and spreading false information about the scheme and cautioned against such attitude.
Mr. Ayamga also bemoaned the attitude of some clients who he alleged were abusing the system by going to the health facilities to feign illness and take drugs for their sick relatives and friends and said such practices stood to weaken the scheme.
“In fact if such practices are not stopped it would have an adverse effect on every single person in the district”, he added.
The Scheme Manager, commended the District Assembly and its Chief Executive, Mr. Francis Asampana as well as the Paramount Chief of the area, Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyaarum for their immense support for the schme in the district.
He disclosed that the under the auspices of Naba Aleemyaarum, and the DCE, a special health fund has been set up and appealed to all sons and daughters of Bongo as well as well-wishers to contribute to the fund to enable the very poor benefit from afforded but quality health care delivery.
He said the management of the scheme has projected 70 per cent coverage of the district population and mobilize GH c1.1 million.
He added that the management will embark on a massive outreach programme including community durbars to whip up interest in the programme.
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
SPECIALIST WARNS OF MAJOR OUTBREAK OF CSM ...In Upper West Region (PAGE 31)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover
THE Upper East Region is on the verge of a major outbreak of Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis (CSM), a public health specialist has warned.
Dr Nsiire Agana of the Upper East Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) said the deadly disease, which attacks the nervous system, was imminent in the region after its last outbreak in 1996.
He pointed out that the disease had an eight to 14-year cycle in the region and appealed to all who were in positions to help to support the GHS in the region to curb the situation, should it occur.
Dr Agana made this known when he delivered a paper on the impact of the recent floods in the Upper East Region at an advocacy seminar in Bolgatanga.
The seminar was jointly organised by the GHS, the Upper East Regional Co-ordinating Council and the United Nations Population Fund to assess the various responses to the flooding and humanitarian crises that hit the region recently.
"With the crowding posed by the last floods, we hope assistance will be forthcoming for internally-displaced persons to rebuild their houses quickly before the hot season begins," Dr Agana said.
He said apart from hunger and malnutrition, other active and potential health hazards were recorded as a result of the floods.
Citing the Builsa District as an example, Dr Agana disclosed that 25,000 malaria cases were recorded at the end of August 2007, as against 14,000 recorded in 2006.
"A closer look at the pattern indicated that most of those cases came in the flood month of August," Dr Agana said, adding that although the figures for diarrhoea were not as dramatic as those for malaria, the situation was equally worrying.
On health infrastructure in the region, he disclosed that 36 facilities, mainly Community Health Planning Services compounds, feeding centres and staff accommodation, estimated at GH¢1.5 million, were destroyed by the floods.
Dr Agana said the GHS collaborated with a number of development partners to provide relief items for communities in the region.
He mentioned UNICEF, the UNFPA, the Ministry of Health, the World Food Programme, as well as CENSUDI, a Bolgatanga-based non-governmental organisation, as partners who supported the GHS in diverse ways.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, said the response of the government to the flood disaster was very swift, particularly during the early stages when emphasis was on normalising the situation.
He indicated that the government, through NADMO, had provided 6,596 packets of roofing sheets, 4,000 bags of cement, 18,250 pieces of blankets, 13,393 large quantities of rice and 16,250 pieces of mats.
Mr Samari said currently the government’s concentration was on the reconstruction of social infrastructure, such as roads, adding that the reconstruction of the dams which collapsed during the floods would take place before the next rainy season.
He pledged the government's commitment to collaborate with the relevant UN agencies and other humanitarian actors to tackle the situation.
In a speech read on his behalf, the UNFPA Representative in Ghana, Mr Makane Kane, said late last year the organisation supported with the provision of reproductive health kits, essential drugs, equipment and other consumables for flood-hit areas in the region.
He said the UNFPA also provided additional assistance for the training of service providers, advocacy, community and social mobilisation to better inform and engage people and improve their responses and actions at all levels of the community.
THE Upper East Region is on the verge of a major outbreak of Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis (CSM), a public health specialist has warned.
Dr Nsiire Agana of the Upper East Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) said the deadly disease, which attacks the nervous system, was imminent in the region after its last outbreak in 1996.
He pointed out that the disease had an eight to 14-year cycle in the region and appealed to all who were in positions to help to support the GHS in the region to curb the situation, should it occur.
Dr Agana made this known when he delivered a paper on the impact of the recent floods in the Upper East Region at an advocacy seminar in Bolgatanga.
The seminar was jointly organised by the GHS, the Upper East Regional Co-ordinating Council and the United Nations Population Fund to assess the various responses to the flooding and humanitarian crises that hit the region recently.
"With the crowding posed by the last floods, we hope assistance will be forthcoming for internally-displaced persons to rebuild their houses quickly before the hot season begins," Dr Agana said.
He said apart from hunger and malnutrition, other active and potential health hazards were recorded as a result of the floods.
Citing the Builsa District as an example, Dr Agana disclosed that 25,000 malaria cases were recorded at the end of August 2007, as against 14,000 recorded in 2006.
"A closer look at the pattern indicated that most of those cases came in the flood month of August," Dr Agana said, adding that although the figures for diarrhoea were not as dramatic as those for malaria, the situation was equally worrying.
On health infrastructure in the region, he disclosed that 36 facilities, mainly Community Health Planning Services compounds, feeding centres and staff accommodation, estimated at GH¢1.5 million, were destroyed by the floods.
Dr Agana said the GHS collaborated with a number of development partners to provide relief items for communities in the region.
He mentioned UNICEF, the UNFPA, the Ministry of Health, the World Food Programme, as well as CENSUDI, a Bolgatanga-based non-governmental organisation, as partners who supported the GHS in diverse ways.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, said the response of the government to the flood disaster was very swift, particularly during the early stages when emphasis was on normalising the situation.
He indicated that the government, through NADMO, had provided 6,596 packets of roofing sheets, 4,000 bags of cement, 18,250 pieces of blankets, 13,393 large quantities of rice and 16,250 pieces of mats.
Mr Samari said currently the government’s concentration was on the reconstruction of social infrastructure, such as roads, adding that the reconstruction of the dams which collapsed during the floods would take place before the next rainy season.
He pledged the government's commitment to collaborate with the relevant UN agencies and other humanitarian actors to tackle the situation.
In a speech read on his behalf, the UNFPA Representative in Ghana, Mr Makane Kane, said late last year the organisation supported with the provision of reproductive health kits, essential drugs, equipment and other consumables for flood-hit areas in the region.
He said the UNFPA also provided additional assistance for the training of service providers, advocacy, community and social mobilisation to better inform and engage people and improve their responses and actions at all levels of the community.
40 TEACHERS RECEIVE AWARDS FOR HARD WORK (Page 11)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga
FORTY teachers and six non-teaching members of staff in the Upper East Region have been presented with various awards for their hard work in 2005 and 2006, long after their awards were announced.
The awards ceremony was organised by the Ghana Education Service (GES). The first prize winners in the various categories received a double-door refrigerator each. Those who placed second each got a 21-inch colour television, while those who placed third each went away with a four-burner gas cooker.
Sadly, one of the award winners did not live to receive the fruit of his hard work. This sad situation led to an appeal to the GES to endeavour to hold the award ceremony in good time so as not to defeat the purpose.
The Best Teacher Awards Scheme, which was instituted in 1995, is organised every year at the regional, metropolitan, municipal and district levels with a view to motivating teachers and also give them recognition for hard work.
Ms Seidu emphasised that it was very important that people acknowledge the sacrifices and selfless contributions of teachers and workers in the educational sector towards attaining the national goals. She also appealed to the business community to lend a hand of support in connection with the Best Teacher Award Scheme to make it enviable and sustainable.
She commended the Upper East Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC), the municipal and district assemblies as well as UNICEF and ActionAid International Ghana for their support, which made the ceremony that had been pending for a long time possible.
The Chief Director of the RCC, Mr Samuel N'lary, who deputised for the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, in an address read on his behalf, commended teachers for their invaluable contribution to social development.
Mr Samari said the government’s commitment to ensuring quality education for children was clearly manifested with the introduction of programmes such as the Distance Learning Programme, Untrained Teacher Diploma in Basic Education for pupil teachers, upgrading of all certificate A teachers to diploma status, as well as upgrading of teacher training colleges.
FORTY teachers and six non-teaching members of staff in the Upper East Region have been presented with various awards for their hard work in 2005 and 2006, long after their awards were announced.
The awards ceremony was organised by the Ghana Education Service (GES). The first prize winners in the various categories received a double-door refrigerator each. Those who placed second each got a 21-inch colour television, while those who placed third each went away with a four-burner gas cooker.
Sadly, one of the award winners did not live to receive the fruit of his hard work. This sad situation led to an appeal to the GES to endeavour to hold the award ceremony in good time so as not to defeat the purpose.
The Best Teacher Awards Scheme, which was instituted in 1995, is organised every year at the regional, metropolitan, municipal and district levels with a view to motivating teachers and also give them recognition for hard work.
Ms Seidu emphasised that it was very important that people acknowledge the sacrifices and selfless contributions of teachers and workers in the educational sector towards attaining the national goals. She also appealed to the business community to lend a hand of support in connection with the Best Teacher Award Scheme to make it enviable and sustainable.
She commended the Upper East Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC), the municipal and district assemblies as well as UNICEF and ActionAid International Ghana for their support, which made the ceremony that had been pending for a long time possible.
The Chief Director of the RCC, Mr Samuel N'lary, who deputised for the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, in an address read on his behalf, commended teachers for their invaluable contribution to social development.
Mr Samari said the government’s commitment to ensuring quality education for children was clearly manifested with the introduction of programmes such as the Distance Learning Programme, Untrained Teacher Diploma in Basic Education for pupil teachers, upgrading of all certificate A teachers to diploma status, as well as upgrading of teacher training colleges.
Friday, 1 February 2008
WORKERS OF BAWKU PRESBY HOSPITAL VACATE POST (Page 21)
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bawku
FEAR and anxiety seem to have gripped workers of the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital and many of them who travelled outside the area for the Christmas and New Year holidays are not willing to return because they feel unsafe.
Speaking at the inauguration of a 17-member Area Health Board in Bolgatanga, the acting General Manager of the Northern Presbytery Health Services, Mr John Abugri, said the recurrent conflict in the area had derailed efforts at making the hospital a centre of excellence in northern Ghana.
During the last conflict in December 2007, a bungalow occupied by the only resident general medical doctor, Dr Francis Asana, was burnt down, which compelled the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to post the doctor to the regional capital in Bolgatanga.
Mr Abugri said the unfortunate development had exacerbated the situation of acute shortage of doctors at the hospital.
He noted with concern that the houses and property of other members of staff, were razed during the conflict and that that was why some of them requested transfer to places.
On December 31, 2007, ethnic conflict broke out between the Mamprusis and the Kusasis in the Bawku municipality.
The fighting escalated the following day leading to the death of at least eight people, while property worth millions of cedis was destroyed.
Currently, a curfew has been imposed on the Bawku municipality while security personnel have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
Mr Abugri called on the government as well as the Presbyterian Church to hold discussions with opinion leaders from both sides on the need to protect the hospital and its staff as well as property during crises of that nature.
“Hospitals are internationally recognised as ‘peace zones’ and the people of Bawku need to be well informed about that,” he stressed, adding that if the situation at Bawku did not change for the better, the future of the once popular hospital would be bleak.
Mr Abugri called for the reconstruction of the hospital’s wall to provide proper security to the hospital and its bungalows as well as the low cost houses behind the hospital.
He suggested that in view of the vacuum created, efforts should be made to get one or two medical officers for the hospital while steps were taken to support the members of staff whose houses and other property were burnt, to motivate them to stay.
While appealing to the acting General Manager of the Presbyterian Church to consider the option of going back to recruit ‘fraternal workers’, especially doctors in order to ameliorate the inadequate doctor situation, Mr Abugri also stressed the need to develop some of the health centres instead of focusing so much on the hospital.
He commended the government, the Presbyterian Church and donor partners for their financial and logistical support provided the hospital over the years, which had made it possible for the hospital to serve many Ghanaians and people from neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso, Togo, Mali and Niger.
He emphasised that despite the numerous challenges, the management of the hospital was working hard to offer quality and affordable healthcare to the people.
The acting Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Hornametor Afeke, told the Daily Graphic that activities at the hospital were gradually picking up, and expressed the hope that calm would soon be restored for the resumption of normal activity.
He mentioned that three Cuban doctors and one Ghanaian, as well as a few members of staff were on hand to offer the needed assistance.
The acting medical director said the eye clinic of the hospital had resumed surgical operations.
FEAR and anxiety seem to have gripped workers of the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital and many of them who travelled outside the area for the Christmas and New Year holidays are not willing to return because they feel unsafe.
Speaking at the inauguration of a 17-member Area Health Board in Bolgatanga, the acting General Manager of the Northern Presbytery Health Services, Mr John Abugri, said the recurrent conflict in the area had derailed efforts at making the hospital a centre of excellence in northern Ghana.
During the last conflict in December 2007, a bungalow occupied by the only resident general medical doctor, Dr Francis Asana, was burnt down, which compelled the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to post the doctor to the regional capital in Bolgatanga.
Mr Abugri said the unfortunate development had exacerbated the situation of acute shortage of doctors at the hospital.
He noted with concern that the houses and property of other members of staff, were razed during the conflict and that that was why some of them requested transfer to places.
On December 31, 2007, ethnic conflict broke out between the Mamprusis and the Kusasis in the Bawku municipality.
The fighting escalated the following day leading to the death of at least eight people, while property worth millions of cedis was destroyed.
Currently, a curfew has been imposed on the Bawku municipality while security personnel have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
Mr Abugri called on the government as well as the Presbyterian Church to hold discussions with opinion leaders from both sides on the need to protect the hospital and its staff as well as property during crises of that nature.
“Hospitals are internationally recognised as ‘peace zones’ and the people of Bawku need to be well informed about that,” he stressed, adding that if the situation at Bawku did not change for the better, the future of the once popular hospital would be bleak.
Mr Abugri called for the reconstruction of the hospital’s wall to provide proper security to the hospital and its bungalows as well as the low cost houses behind the hospital.
He suggested that in view of the vacuum created, efforts should be made to get one or two medical officers for the hospital while steps were taken to support the members of staff whose houses and other property were burnt, to motivate them to stay.
While appealing to the acting General Manager of the Presbyterian Church to consider the option of going back to recruit ‘fraternal workers’, especially doctors in order to ameliorate the inadequate doctor situation, Mr Abugri also stressed the need to develop some of the health centres instead of focusing so much on the hospital.
He commended the government, the Presbyterian Church and donor partners for their financial and logistical support provided the hospital over the years, which had made it possible for the hospital to serve many Ghanaians and people from neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso, Togo, Mali and Niger.
He emphasised that despite the numerous challenges, the management of the hospital was working hard to offer quality and affordable healthcare to the people.
The acting Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Hornametor Afeke, told the Daily Graphic that activities at the hospital were gradually picking up, and expressed the hope that calm would soon be restored for the resumption of normal activity.
He mentioned that three Cuban doctors and one Ghanaian, as well as a few members of staff were on hand to offer the needed assistance.
The acting medical director said the eye clinic of the hospital had resumed surgical operations.
DISTRICT ASSEMBLY IMPROVES EDUCATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE (Page 11
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Navrongo
The Kassena-Nankana District Assembly in the Upper East Region has embarked on massive infrastructural development for the area. The development efforts include the construction of more than 10 three-unit and six-unit classroom blocks throughout the district, the provision of furniture for some selected schools and the rehabilitation of educational facilities destroyed by the floods that occurred last year.
The assembly’s efforts also include sponsorship for students and these are in line with the fact that the assembly is poised to sustain and improve upon quality of education at every stage of the education ladder.
The Chief Executive of the Kassena-Nankana District, Mr Emmanuel Chegeweh, disclosed these at the fifth session of the assembly’s first ordinary meeting at Navrongo.
Mr Chegeweh said the district had benefited a great deal from its development partners and mentioned the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) which supplied 6,850 dual desks and 500 teachers’ tables to schools to improve on their furniture situation.
The Social Investment Fund, he said, also assisted the assembly to construct a classroom block at Biu-Sensa and is again funding 6-unit classroom blocks at Pingo and Yidana.
He said with support from the HIPC Funds, two classroom blocks were built at Navro-Pungu and Kalvio, while three other school blocks at Tampola, Namolo and Saboro whose roofs were ripped off by a storm have been rehabilitated.
Mr Chegeweh announced that estimates for the remaining schools that were also affected by the recent floods have been made and the schools would be rehabilitated as soon as funds became available.
He said as part of measures to address the shortage of teachers in the district, the assembly had established a sponsorship scheme for teacher trainees and was also sponsoring 168 teacher trainees who were expected to return to the district to serve the people. Last year, the assembly sponsored 117 teacher trainees in various teacher training colleges.
Mr Chegeweh said reports reaching the assembly indicated that while some schools in the villages were woefully understaffed, those in Navrongo township were rather over staffed.
He attributed this to the fact that most teachers posted to the rural areas normally went back to the Ghana Education Service (GES) directorate to reverse their posting after just a month.
He, therefore, appealed to the district director of education not to heed to pressure from any quarter to repost teachers.
Acknowledging the importance of information and communication technology (ICT) and the study of French, the chief executive said the assembly had recommended the inclusion of teachers in those areas for sponsorship by the assembly, while needy students, children with disabilities as well as tertiary students who came home to assist in teaching, revenue mobilisation and other programmes of the assembly during holidays were also being supported financially.
Mr Chegeweh expressed his appreciation to the Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central, Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, who he said had taken it upon himself to provide the district with a multi-purpose library, which was being constructed.
The Kassena-Nankana District Assembly in the Upper East Region has embarked on massive infrastructural development for the area. The development efforts include the construction of more than 10 three-unit and six-unit classroom blocks throughout the district, the provision of furniture for some selected schools and the rehabilitation of educational facilities destroyed by the floods that occurred last year.
The assembly’s efforts also include sponsorship for students and these are in line with the fact that the assembly is poised to sustain and improve upon quality of education at every stage of the education ladder.
The Chief Executive of the Kassena-Nankana District, Mr Emmanuel Chegeweh, disclosed these at the fifth session of the assembly’s first ordinary meeting at Navrongo.
Mr Chegeweh said the district had benefited a great deal from its development partners and mentioned the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) which supplied 6,850 dual desks and 500 teachers’ tables to schools to improve on their furniture situation.
The Social Investment Fund, he said, also assisted the assembly to construct a classroom block at Biu-Sensa and is again funding 6-unit classroom blocks at Pingo and Yidana.
He said with support from the HIPC Funds, two classroom blocks were built at Navro-Pungu and Kalvio, while three other school blocks at Tampola, Namolo and Saboro whose roofs were ripped off by a storm have been rehabilitated.
Mr Chegeweh announced that estimates for the remaining schools that were also affected by the recent floods have been made and the schools would be rehabilitated as soon as funds became available.
He said as part of measures to address the shortage of teachers in the district, the assembly had established a sponsorship scheme for teacher trainees and was also sponsoring 168 teacher trainees who were expected to return to the district to serve the people. Last year, the assembly sponsored 117 teacher trainees in various teacher training colleges.
Mr Chegeweh said reports reaching the assembly indicated that while some schools in the villages were woefully understaffed, those in Navrongo township were rather over staffed.
He attributed this to the fact that most teachers posted to the rural areas normally went back to the Ghana Education Service (GES) directorate to reverse their posting after just a month.
He, therefore, appealed to the district director of education not to heed to pressure from any quarter to repost teachers.
Acknowledging the importance of information and communication technology (ICT) and the study of French, the chief executive said the assembly had recommended the inclusion of teachers in those areas for sponsorship by the assembly, while needy students, children with disabilities as well as tertiary students who came home to assist in teaching, revenue mobilisation and other programmes of the assembly during holidays were also being supported financially.
Mr Chegeweh expressed his appreciation to the Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central, Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, who he said had taken it upon himself to provide the district with a multi-purpose library, which was being constructed.
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THE Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka and the Director General of the Ghana Immigration Service, Mrs Elizabeth Adjei, have jointly c...
