ATEBUBU TO ENJOY POWER (PAGE 54, JULY 19, 2010)

THE Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo has cut the sod for an electrification project for the Atuba community near Binduri in the Bawku Municipality.
The project forms part of the government’s efforts at connecting rural communities in all districts in the region to the national grid.
In all, 50 rural communities in the nine districts in the region are to benefit from the programme this year.
Speaking at a brief ceremony at Atuba to mark the commencement of work, Mr Woyongo said the government would ensure that power was extended to every rural community to improve the life of the people.
He expressed the hope that when completed, the project would not only boost the establishment of micro businesses in rural areas to enable rural dwellers to improve upon their living standards, but would also help students in those communities with their studies, especially at night.
According to Mr Woyongo, aside the electrification project, the government was also taking realistic measures to bridge the wide development gap between communities in northern and southern Ghana.
He cited the Youth in Agricultural Block Farming Programme as one of the interventions and urged the youth to embrace it in order to make money and contribute their quota towards the development of their communities.
The Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Musa Abdulai reiterated his call for peace in the municipality to fast-track the provision of development projects in the area.
He also stressed the need for reconciliation and unity, adding that without those values, Bawku would never know progress.
Mr Abdulai stated that in spite of all the difficulties that the municipality had been going through, the area was still benefiting from the government's programmes to ensure effective teaching and learning.
He mentioned the capitation grant, distribution of free exercise books, school uniforms, construction of school buildings and the engagement of the youth for the National Youth Employment Programme as some of the interventions.
Mr Abdulai expressed the hope that the newly found path to peace would be maintained and enhanced for the benefit of all.
The divisional chief of Kaadi, Naba Anobila Azimbe, commended the government for extending electricity to the community and pledged the co-operation of his people towards the speedy completion of the project.