GARU-TEMPANE TO BENEFIT FROM HNIS (PAGE 22, JAN 4, 2011)

THANKS to efforts made by both the previous and current governments in the Garu-Tempane District in the Upper East Region, all is now set for the commencement of an independent Mutual Health Insurance Scheme in the district.
Until now, people in the district, which was carved out of the Bawku Municipality some years ago, had to trek several kilometres to Bawku to either register or renew their membership of the scheme. Many of the citizens found the trip very cumbersome and therefore, failed to travel the long distance to register with the scheme in order to receive quality health care delivery.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Mr David Adakudugu, who disclosed this at a town hall meeting in Garu, said all the necessary documentation had been done so very soon the district would have its independent mutual health insurance scheme.
The forum, which was attended by traditional rulers, representatives of political parties in the district, former assembly members, women and youth groups, among others, was aimed at informing the public about some of the development projects carried out in the district within the past two years.
Mr Adakudugu said in line with Prof. Mills’s government policy, his administration inherited a number of on-going projects that were initiated by the past regime, but realised that those projects, if completed, would serve the interest of the people, hence a vigorous programme was implemented to complete those projects.
The projects include the construction of a four three-unit early childhood development centres at Kpatia, Bugri, Barekoba and Kpikpira.
Other projects are the completion of three classroom blocks with KVIP public places of convenience and urinal facilities at Kpikpira, Kariyata and Bimpela, which are currently in use.
The DCE also added that since assuming office, his administration had completed an assembly block which was in use, while 20-unit market sheds and 40-unit market stalls had also been constructed.
Mr Adakudugu said the assembly, under his watch, had rehabilitated the community centre at Kpikpira and the Police Post at Woriyanga to enhance security in that part of the district.
He stated that the total debt inherited by his administration was GH¢1,146.625.86 but as of now, a total of GH¢900,000 had been serviced.
Mr Adakudugu said since assuming office, apart from completing the on going projects, new projects had been initiated to help bring relief to the people.
He said in the area of education, a three-unit classroom block with KVIP and urinal facilities had been completed at Gaago, Kongo, Nomboko and Akara.
Mr Adakudugu also mentioned the construction of a six-unit classroom block at Bulipielsi, the rehabilitation of a primary school block at Kpatia and the provision of 6,000 dual desks to schools across the district as some of the projects undertaken by the current government.
The DCE said other projects provided in the district under the education sector included the construction of a six-unit classroom block with auxiliary facilities in communities such as Karateshie, Wanwaago, Napaadi and Naate.
He said to date, a total of 1,500 exercise books and about 4,000 school uniforms had been distributed to pupils throughout the district.
In the health sector, the DCE disclosed that the projects carried out within the two years of the current government included the construction of CHPS compounds in communities like Gagbiri and Aloko.
On agriculture, Mr Adakudugu said the government had rehabilitated dams at Basyonde, Gbaterago, Woriyanga, Tempane, Karateshie and Songo.
On Water and Sanitation, the DCE said the Garu-Town Small Water and Sanitation System started in 2008 had been completed.
He said as part of the water system, 130 household latrines were also provided, adding that the assembly had extended the facility to Bugnatinga where fluoride was destroying the teeth of the children.
Mr Adakudugu added that the small town water and sanitation systems for Tempane–Yabrago and Denugu-Danvoga were about 90 per cent completed.
He also stated that with support from World Vision International, 40 boreholes had been provided throughout the district.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo, who also addressed the gathering, hinted that under the government programme to open up the area, the eastern corridor roads passing through the district as well as other artery roads would be tackled in the coming year, to facilitate the transportation of goods and services.