IT WAS A CLEAN SWEEP FOR NDC IN UE DESPITE FALL LEADING PARLIAMENTARIANS

Article: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Just as predicted, the National Democratic Congress, made a clean sweep at the Presidential level at the just ended general election. Candidate John Dramani Mahama won in all the 15 constituencies while the other seven presidential aspirants trailed. The outcome did not come as a surprise to election watchers because since 1992, that has been the trend since 1992. The surprise or otherwise depending on where one stood was in the race for the parliamentary seats. The NPP came into the race with four seat firmly tuck under their armpits, namely Navrongo Central, Binduri, Bawku Central and Chiana-Paga constituencies, out of the then 13 Constituencies, but in the end , they lost all the four seats to the NDC. The NDC on the other hand boosted it performance by increasing the seats it controlled from eight in 2008 to 12 seats, namely Bolgatanga Central, Bolgatanga East, Builsa North, Pusiga, Garu, Tempane Binduri, Navrongo Central, Zebilla, Chiana-Paga, Bawku Central and Bongo district. The Peoples National Convention, (PNC) managed to cling unto its only seat in the Builsa South constituency. Perhaps the major upset, (although many people in the region had predicted it days before the election) was the fall of what is known on political circles “the two mugabes”- (on account of their long stay as MP) The Longest serving Parliamentarian in the Upper East region, representing the Talensi Constituency, John Akolgo Tia, was kicked off the seat, while his friend next door, Mr. Moses Asaga, who had done 16 years in parliament also lost his seat, both to the NPP candidates. Mr. Tia Akolgo has since 1992 been the representative of the people of Talensi. He was seeking his sixth term in parliament but his constituents felt otherwise. So while they would vote massively for the NDC Presidential Candidate, Mr. John Mahama, they thought both Messrs Tia Akolgu and Asaga have overstayed his welcome and needed to be booted out for fresh faces to come in.. In Talensi, President Mahama polled 17, 110 votes as opposed to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the MPP had 7, 120 but at the parliamentary level, the reverse was the case, the NPP candidate, Mr. Robert Doameng Mosoore garnered 11, 380 while the former Information Minister had 9,119. In the Nabdam constituency, “the skirt and blouse” system was also evoked. In the presidential polls, NDC’s John Mahama had 7, 533 votes while NPP’s Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had 4, 719 but in the parliamentary votes, the reverse was the case, NDC’s Moses Asaga secured 6,545 votes while NPP’s Boniface Gambilla, who had contested from 2000 got 7,097. Going into this elections, the electorates in these two constituencies have dropped signals that they did not want these MPs to stay in office any longer. Some of the electorates, through various platforms including social media launched a vigorous campaign to have these two “mugabes” booted out but those leading the campaign for the sitting MPs came to their defense. In the case of Mr. John Tia Akolgu, a group in the constituency calling itself NDC Youth in the month of February, 2012 held a press conference during which they vowed to vote for the NPP Parliamentary Candidate instead Mr JohnTia Akolgo but would vote for NDC candidate for the presidential poll. The Campaign team for Mr. Akologo , in a counter- press statement issued at a Press Conference and signed by Alhaji Seidu Musah, Manager of Mr Tia’s Campaign Team, debunked the accusation levelled against the MP. His argument was that Mr. Tia Akolgo, since his assumption of office as MP, had brought about unprecedented development projects to the constituency and that explained why he was continuously being endorsed by the constituency as MP for the area. The long and short of it is that, after the back and forth, the electorates threaten to speak with their thumps and have succeeded in decided who should represent them in parliament come January 2013. Another major surprise was the defeat for Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda. The incumbent Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central and former Minister of Energy during in the erstwhile NPP government, Joseph Kofi Adda, also lost the seat to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Owen Woyongo in what pundits nicknamed a re-match between the two. In 2008, Mr. Woyongo lost the contest to Mr. Adda, in that race Messrs Woyongo and Adda together with PNCs Gabriel Pwamang and CPPs, Fotunate Anuga were entangled in the race for the seat, at the close that polls Mr. Kofi Adda polled 14, 354 representing 45.23 percent of votes cast as against, Mr. Woyongo’s 13, 224 represent 41. 67 per cent., . Come December 7 and 8, 2012, the two gentlemen were in the race again. This time, the PNC had thrown their weight behind the NDC candidate and did not field a candidate. On account that the PNC candidate, Mr. Gabriel Pwamang polled 4,026 votes in the 2008 elections, it came as no surprise when after the final results was declared, Mr. Woyongo had 10, 260 while NP’s Joseph Kofi Adda 9,703 votes. The NPP has since the year 2000 had a grip on the Navrongo constituency. In the 2000 elections, the late John Setuni Achuliwor contested on the NPP’s ticket and defeated the NDCs Clement T. Bugase by 143 votes. Achuliwor polled 11,246 while Bugase had 11,103 votes. The rest was shared between five other candidates who contested in that race. Following the death of John Setuni Achuliwor in 2003, Mr. Adda a MP. He won the by-election for the Navrongo Central constituency. In the 2004 elections, Adda retained his seat after he defeated NDCs Emmanuel Andema, the current Municipal Chief Executive for the Kassena-Nankana East. In that polls, Adda polled 12, 444 votes while Mr. Andema came a distant third with 6,201. While pundits believe Mr. Adda was complacent leading to his defeat, other held the view that Mr. Woyongo on account of his hard work as Regional Minsiter which has seen the region as a whole and the Kassena-Nankana East Municipality benefit from a number of development project coupled with the support of the PNC gave him a huge advantage over his contender. Another NPP incumbent, Mr. Stephen Yakubu, MP for Binduri Constituency, lost his seat to a Senior High School Tutor, Ben Noah Azure, to the surprise of many who had tipped Stephen Yakubu as the best choice for the area. Sitting Member of Parliament for the China-Paga, Leo Kaba, lost to former Deputy Minister of Sports and the current Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA), Mr. Abuga Pele. In the Builsa South Constituency, incumbent MP and the only PNC parliamentary candidate in the next parliament, Mr. Alhassan Azong retained his seat likewise, Mr. Dominic Azimbe Azumah (Garu), Majority Leader Cletus Avoka (Zebilla), Albert Abongo (Bongo) and Emmanuel Opam Brown Akolbire,(Bolgatanga central). Four of the victors from the region will be making first time appearances in the house of legislature, namely, James Agalga (Builsa North), David Adakurugu(Tempane), Dominic Ayine(Bolgatanga East) and Hajia Laadi Ayamba (Pusiga). Current deputy minister of education, Mahama Ayariga is making a return to the chamber after he won the Bawku Central seat. Having won 12 out of the 15 seats in the region, NDC has once again entrenched itself as the party to beat. The other political parties although have made inroads by increasing their votes must redoubled their efforts if they are to snatch the region the grips of the NDC. -END- writer's email:benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Two siblings behind police cells bars for allegedly lynching a 75 year old woman

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga TWO SIBLINGS, Felix Nwohinyen, 22 and Dok Nwohinyen, 19, both students have been remanded into police custody by a Bolgatanga Magistrate Court for allegedly lynching a 75-year-old- woman, Madam Yamgot Apomah. The two, who appeared people the court presided over by Madam Vivian Yamusah had accused the deceased of being a witch and allegedly stoned and clubbed her to death. They will reappear in court on January 3, 2012. The facts of the case was the two are residents of Zanlerigu and that in November this year, the grandmother of the suspects died and soon after that they accused the deceased as being responsible. In the same month, the mother of the suspects came down from Kumasi to attend a funeral. According to the police, the mother of the suspects and the deceased quarried over a scarf. The police said few days after the quarrel, the mother of the suspects felt sick and died. Not long after, the deceased was accused for being responsible. The police said on December 12, 2012 at about 9 am, a lady from the suspects house was sent to the market. On her way, it was alleged that the deceased called her but she refused to attend to the call. The lady allegedly returned to home and informed the family members of the deceased call. This, allegedly infuriated the suspects allegedly armed themselves with sticks and stones, marched to the house of the deceased, stoned and clubbed her to death. The Bolgatanga Municipal Crime Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP), Mr. Godson Letsyo, who confirmed the story, said the deceased sustained deep cuts on the head and some abrasions on the body. He said the remains had been deposited at the regional hospital mortuary pending autopsy. He said on December 13, 2012, a complaint was lodged at the police station and the suspects were arrested. He added that in their statement, the admitted stoning the old lady and clubbing her to death. -End- writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Yaale community benefits from health screening(THE MIRROR, Saturday, December 15, 2012. Page 32)

Story & Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Yaale Yaale community is one of the most deprived in the Talensi district is of the Upper East Region. Social amenities such as clinics, schools, water, and electricity are lacking or inadequate. The road network is poor. The major occupation of the people is small scale mining and subsistence farming and this is characterized by low yields mainly due to low soil fertility erratic rainfall pattern and small farm sizes. The community has no clinic or health post. The alternative facility is the Presbyterian Primary Health Care Centre at Namolgo, which is about eight kilometers away Yaale. There is also a health post at Datoku however the nature of the settlement pattern and poor road network has made patronage of these health facilities by the people of Yaale is rather poor, thereby causing high incidences of disease and illness. High poverty levels of the people of the area are manifested in their inability to register for the National Health Insurance Scheme that will also help them access health care. Touched by their plight, Eastwood Anaba Ministries under its social transformation wing organized a medical outreach in the community. A team of medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists screened the people for various ail-ments and administered drugs. Those with critical cases were referred to the Regional Hospital for further attention. Apart from the medical screening, the medical team also gave out gifts, including clothing for adults. shoes, baby clothing to the people. A total of 160 people made up of 86 adults and 74 children were registered onto the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable people use their cards to access health care in nearby communities. An associate member of the E.A.M, Mrs. Ruth Wallace said the programme was birthed by Rev Eastwood and Mrs. Rosemond Anaba to primarily to extend the God’s love to the community and to propagate the gospel of Christ. She explained that the medical outreach was designed to see to the economic, social, as well as the spiritual development of the deprived in the society adding that aside the medical outreach, E.A.M has also embarked on an educational support programme where children are assisted from pre-school to tertiary levels. She added that it was the objective of organization to in the future provide, funds permitting to provide social amenities such as water to deprived communities, support agriculture which is the main occupation of the people and well as enhance skill acquisition by the youth, stressing that “our aim is to ensure that more people are empowered”. Mrs. Wallace said through that they hope to storm the tide of migration to urban areas and also help the youth to put a stop social to vices. The Coordinator of the Medical Outreach programme, Dr. Hornametor Afake said the aim of the programme was to reach out to the people in the community who in one way or another did not have access health facility in the community. He said some of the conditions examined were malaria, high blood pressure, respiratory tract infections, wound dressing, ophthalmology cases and anemia in children amongst others. The Assembly man for the Garri-Gbane Electoral Area, Mr. Bismark Yumah was grateful to the medical team and Eastwood Anaba Ministries for the gesture and expressed the hope that it would be sustained. He appealed to philanthropists and corporate bodies to help build a Junior High school in the area to save the children who have completed their primary school from walking long distances to attend JHS School in neighboring communities. Mr. Yumah said the district assembly has not been able to meet all their development needs of the community to lift them out of their socio-economic status. He said it was through the self-help of the people and the support of some non-governmental organizations that saw the construction of a primary school and the provision of a borehole for the area. He appealed the Eastwood Anaba Ministries to provide the community with a clinic for the area since health care was paramount to the people. -End- Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

NDC candidate is sole woman elected in Upper East(D/G, Tuesday, December 11, 2012 Page 11)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The National Democratic Congress, (NDC), parliamentary candidate elect for Pusiga the constituency Hajia Laadi Ayii Ayamba, succeeded as the only female parliamentary candidates to emerged victorious at he just ended polls out of the six that filed to contest the Upper East Region. 63 persons including six women persons filed to contest in all 15 constituencies in the region. By the close of day, however, it was only Hajia Ayamba who carried the day polling 16,174 to defeat her closest contender, Mohammed Imoro Asoko of the NPP who garnered 7,749 votes. A teacher by profession, Hajia Ayamba, has been two times National Deputy Propaganda Secretary of the NDC, Deputy Constituency Organizer, Constituency Women Organiser, Deputy Upper East Regional Women Organiser in 1994, Regional Women Organiser, also became the Deputy National Women Organiser in 2000. The other aspirants who failed to make the mark for women’s representation in parliament were, Madam Diana Abuyiya Assuure of the NPP who secured 11,118 votes as against NDC’s Albert Abongo, who had 18,609. Former MP and Deputy Regional Minister, Madam Agnes Chigabatia of the NPP also lost her bid to recapture the her seat when she had 5,690 as against the NDC’s James Agalga who polled 10, 792 The other female aspirant who lost out was Madam Paulina Atiik Morton Bruce who contested on the ticket of NPP. She had 2,114 as against PNC’s Alhassan Azong, the sole PNC representation in the legislature who had 6,048 votes. Madam Zaliya Ibrahim who stood on the ticket of the CPP in the Bawku Central constituency faced a tough tasked and only came out with 151 as against the eventual winner, Mahama Ayariga. Madan Akugri Laadi, candidate of the of the PNC in the Tempane constituency polled 124 as against 13, 918 secured by Mr. David Adakudurugu who had 13, 918 votes. Overall, women representation in parliament from the region, have generally not being encouraging. In previous elections, females have not had it all rosy in their bid to make it to the house of legislation. It should not come as a surprise to many, mainly due to the patriarchal nature of the society. A system that does not encourage women to aim for the top, inspite of the many push offered. In the 2008, elections, six women contested seats in the Upper East Region out of which none emerged winners in that race.They were Ms Rhodalin Imoru Ayarna, (CPP, Bawku Central), Ms Evelyn Lamisi Anabila,(CPP, Bolgatanga central constituency) and Mercy A. Alima Musah, (NPP,Bolgatanga Central constituency). The rest were Madam Agnes A. Chigabatia, (NPP, Builsa North) Madam Gifty Ayavuuk, (DFP, Builsa South) and Madam Grace Akua Yinmadug, (DFP, Talensi constituency) At the 2004 general election, the number of female MP aspirants was also six out pof which only one, Madam Agnes Chigabatia Asangalisah succeeded to go to parliament. She served for a tern but lost her re-election bid in 2008. Others such has the late Madam Hawa Yakubu and Madam Fati Seidu have had the chance of representing women in the region in parliament after contesting elections during this forth republic. The late Hawa Yakubu was Member of Parliament for Bawku Central between 1993 – 1997. She was succeeded by Hajia Fati Seidu who served from 1997 to 2001. The late Hawa Yakubu made a comeback in the 2000 elections and served for a term before losing to Mr. 2001 to 2005. -End- Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Mahama Ayariga commends people of Bawku(D/G, Friday, December 14, 2012. Page 18)

The Parliamentary candidate elect for the Bawku Central constituency in the Upper East Region, Mr Mahama Ayariga has commended the people of Bawku for the peaceful manner they went about the electioneering and the subsequent maintenance of law and order during the elections of December 7 and 8, 2012. He has also expressed appreciation to the security agencies for the role they played in maintaining the relatively peace prevailing in the area. Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Bawku, the Deputy Minister for Education who polled 24,071 as against his closest contender, Alhassan Haruna of the NPP, who garnered 19,082 votes, said for the area to go through such intense campaign period without recording any major incidence before and during the election was an indication that the people were ready to embrace peace, which was paramount for development. Bawku have had to over the past couple of years endure ethnic conflict. On several occasions, government, based on the advice of the Regional Security Council, has had to impose curfews at various periods in the town. Since May, 2010, males in the town have been prohibited from riding motorcycles, a major means of transport for the people. Only women and security personnel in uniform are permitted to ride. Even then, women riders are not permitted to pick male pillion riders. This measure is meant to curb situations where person with the use of motorcycles commit killings and violence and escape with ease on their motorcycles even before security personnel get to the crime scene. However, Mr Ayariga said he was optimistic that the peaceful manner in which the electioneering was held as well as the voting process carried out in which no major incidence was recorded was indicative Bawku was gradually on the road to recovery. He commended the electorate of the area for coming out in their numbers to vote and the patience they exercised even in the face of difficulties associated with the verification device which nearly disenfranchised many people, stressing that showed the commitment to entrench democracy. Mr Ayariga is making a re-entry into parliament. He was first elected MP in the 2004 general election after he defeated the then MP, the late Madam Hawa Yakubu. He however failed in his bid to get re-elected in the 2008 election when he lost the seat to Mr Adamu Dramani. Story by Benjamin Xornam Glover Writer’s email:benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

'Let's be modest in celebration'(D/G, Monday, December 17, 2012. Page 18)

A member of the Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper East, Mr Noble Alagskomah Asekeya, has urged supporters of the party to be modest in celebrating the party’s victory in the just ended elections. Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Bolgatanga, Mr Asekeya who is also a senior cadre thanked the NDC supporters and the executives for the hard work and discipline exhibited during the campaign and also admonished followers of the party to exercise moderation in celebrating the victory in order not to incur the displeasure of anyone, especially the vanquished. He also congratulated the President elect, Mr John Dramani Mahama, on his election to the high office of president, stressing that the prudent management, judicious and equitable use of state resources as well as good governance played a key role in the renewal of his mandate. “Your transparent, accountable, humble and honest posture, coupled with your splendid performance at the recent IEA political debate, made you stand very tall among your contemporaries for the high office of the land.” He also lauded President Mahama for the massive investment in key sectors of the economy like education, health, agriculture, energy and roads, among others, within the first term of the NDC administration, emphasising that such progress was very historic and worthy of commendation. “Your commitment and zest in the socio-economic, political as well as cultural issues and your leadership style will bring lasting peace and stability to Ghana, which is a prerequisite for accelerated and sustainable development and poverty eradication,” he added To the other political parties who contested the elections and lost, Mr Asekeya reminded them that the common bond that Ghanaians shared should be maintained at all times, adding that Ghana is far bigger than a political party or an individual and therefore nothing untoward should be done to disturb the prevailing peace; if not posterity, will never forgive them. He commended the security agencies, media, civil society organisations and traditional authorities for the respective roles they played before, during and after the general election.

EC did not record minors voting in UE(D/G, Tuesday, December 18, 2012)

The Electoral Commission in the Upper East Region has stated that it did not record any incidence of minors voting in the just ended presidential and parliamentary elections. In an interview in Bolgatanga, the Deputy Upper East Regional Director of the EC, Mr Azu Bosco Anyigire, said following the stern warning issued and the determination to hand over any minor that would turn up at the polling station to vote to the security agencies, the polling area became a no-go area for underage voters. It would be recalled that days before the polls took place, the EC in a press conference displayed photographs of some minors registered as voters and warned that any minor who made an attempt to queue and vote on voting day risked being arrested. According to Mr Anyigire, that warning perhaps scared minors from showing up to partake in the exercise. In a related development, the Daily Graphic observed that apart from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that had polling agents in all the polling stations in the region, the other parties that contested in the elections were under represented at the various polling stations. The Political Parties Law requires that parties meet some basic requirements among which are be national in character, have offices opened in at least two-thirds of all districts in the country, have officers elected at the national, regional and constituency levels through which they can have branch, ward and polling station executives who can perform the rolls such as polling agents for their respective parties. In the Bawku Central Constituency, representatives of the NDC, CPP, PPP and PNC were present and endorsed collated result while that of the NPP failed to sign the constituency results summary sheet. At the Zebilla Constituency collation centre, apart from representatives of the NPP and the NDC, the other political parties were absent. Also present was the agent of the Mallam Isa Yusif who contested the parliamentary seat as an independent candidate. In the Tempane Constituency, it was only the NDC and NPP that were represented at the collation centre. In Navrongo, the NDC, NPP, PNC were represented at the collation centre. However, not even the PPP parliamentary candidate, Mr Avanakwa Crispin, had an agent to endorse the collated results. At the Pusiga Constituency collation centre, apart from the NDC, NPP and PPP, none of the other contesting political parties had agents to endorse the results declarations forms. At the Talensi Collation centre, only the NDC, NPP and PNC agents signed the declaration form while in the Nabdam Constituency, only agents of NDC and NPP were on hand to authenticate the results. At Garu, the NDC, NPP and the CPP had agents at the collation centres to endorse the final results declared after collation while in the Chiana-Paga Constituency; it was only the NDC, NPP and PNC agents who were present to authenticate results declared at the collation centre. Builsa South collation centre had agents of the NDC, NPP and PNC signing the constituency results summary sheet while at the Builsa North, Bongo collation centres, only agents of the NDC, NPP, PNC were present to sign the declaration forms. In the Bolgatanga East and Bolgatanga Central constituencies, only agents of the NDC and NPP were on hand to endorse the declared results. At the Binduri Constituency polling centre, only the NDC, NPP and PPP had polling agents who signed the declared results. According to the EC’s guide to candidates and their agents, polling agents play a number of roles to ensure the credibility of the polls. Among these are the fact that they are to closely observe the counting of the votes, making sure that each ballot is counted in favour of the candidate for whom it is cast. They are also to ensure that ballot paper which does not bear the official ballot validation of the polling station is not counted and even ask for a recount if they genuinely think that the votes have not been counted correctly. According to the EC’s handbook, they as a commission attach great importance to the work of polling agents, because they act as watchdogs of the election process, therefore if political parties and parliamentary candidates ensure that their agents do their work well, they will be contributing to enhancing the credibility of the election by helping to detect fraud, impersonation, multiple voting, tampering of ballot boxes and checking misconduct. Overall, the EC holds the view that polling agents enhance the acceptability of the overall elections results by certifying the results of the various polling stations. Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Will Upper East Vote Skirt and Blouse in elections 2012?

Article: Benjamin Xornam Glover An estimated 566, 859 eligible voters are expected to turn up and vote in 1,141 polling stations across the Upper East Region on Friday, December 7, 2012 as the nation goes to the polls. So far 63 candidates including 6 women have filed nominations to contest in the 15 constituencies available in the region. As usual both the NDC and the main opposition party, NPP have filed to contest in all the constituencies. The 15 constituencies are, Bolgatanga Central, Bolgatanga East, Bawku Central, Binduri, Bongo, Builsa North ,Builsa South, Chiana/Paga, Garu, Nabdam, Navrongo Central, Pusiga Talensi, Tempane, and Zebilla. Smaller parties such as the PNC AND PPP have 11 and 10 candidates each while good old CPP made a showing in seven constituencies with new entrant, the National Democratic Party, (NDP), filing candidates in three constituencies. There are two candidates filed as independent candidates. Ahead of the D-day, the question on the lips of many is if the NDC will maintain its dominance in the region or the electorates should expect a political tsunami by any of the other parties in the race. Fact is, since 1992, the region has been associated with the NDC with the party recording land slide victories at both Presidential and Parliamentary levels. From 1992 to 2008, the NDC has always gone past the 50 per cent mark at the presidential elections. From all indications, the trend is not likely to change although the NPP is hoping to make gains in this election. The trend since 1992 has been that a the NDC has been securing over50 per cent of votes cast at the presidential level and indications are that it is not changing in this elections. The rear challenge will however be if the NDC can dominate in the parliamentary level. This is because information picked from the campaign activities has it that the electorates desire a change of faces. At the presidential level, in the 1992 polls,the NDC secured 54.0 per cent, NPP had 10. 5 percent , PNC 32.5 per cent, NIP 1.4 per cent and PHP 1.7 per cent. in 1996, NDC polled 69.0 per cent, the NPP had 17.4 per cent. The PNC is that elections secured 13. 7 per cent. In the 2000 elections, the two leading parties, NDC and NPP secured 57.17 per cent and 42. 83 per cent respectively. In 2004, the results were as follows, NDC, 53.9 per cent, NPP 31.6 per cent , PNC 12.6 per cent and CPP 1.7 per cent. From the trend the smaller parties have not fared well at the presidential level but some like the PNC have made good showing at the parliamentary resulting in them winning some seats in the past,like the Bolgatanga central, and Builsa South constituency. While the NDC is hopeful to repeat that trend and even enhance their performance at the presidential level for the 2012 elections they are cautiously optimistic following threats by some electorates to vote against some of the parliamentary candidates for unsatisfactory performance. Murmurs picked from the campaign rounds have it that the electorate intend to adopt the “skirt and blouse” voting system. That is, vote for NDC’s John Mahama and a vote against some of the NDC candidates. The reason given by these voters are that some of the MPs have overstayed their welcome and as such must make way for new faces. As to whether these silent cries represent the views of the majority of voters will only be known after the official results are declared by the E.C. In terms of parliamentary elections, the NDC in 1996 swept all 12 seats. The next election year of 2000 saw the party losing in three constituencies, namely Bawku Central, Garu-Tempane and Navrongo Central. In the 2004 elections after the number of seats was increased to 13, the NDC won nine seats while the NPP won two seats(Navrongo Central and Builsa North) with the PNC settling for the other two seats(Zebilla and Bolgatanga Central). In 2008 elections, the NDC won eight seats, the NPP won four (Navrongo Central, Binduri, Bawku Central and Chiana Paga) and PNC 1(Builsa South) . While the NDC believes it undoubtedly remains the strongest party in the Upper East, the NPP believes it has made a lot of inroads and considering the fact that many of the electorate have expressed the desire to have new faces represent the region in parliament the opposition party is so confident of causing a political tsunami. As stated earlier, there are 15 constituencies in the Upper East Region and starting from the Bolgatanga Central constituency, the battle is between is clearly between the incumbent, Mr. Emmanuel Opam-Brown Akolbire and the NPP’s Dr. Gyesika A. Agambilla. Others in the race are PPP’s Robert Anamolga and the NDPs’ Saeed Jafar Mohammed, the youngest among the lot. The NDC won the seat in 1992 and 1996. In 2000 and 2004, PNC toppled the NDC but lost it again to the NDC in 2008. Now that it has been split into two Bolgatanga Central and Bolgatanga East, the question is can the NPP annexed the seat for the first time? The race for the Navrongo Central Constituency will witness a three-man race with the aspirants being, the current Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo for the NDC, Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda on the ticket of the NPP and Mr. Crispin Avanakwa Awupuri, a 40 year old teacher who is contesting on the ticket of the PPP. In the last parliamentary elections, Messrs Woyongo and Adda together with PNCs Gabriel Pwamang and CPPs, Fotunate Anuga were entangled in the race for the seat. At the end of that contest, Mr. Kofi Adda polled 14, 354 representing 45.23 percent of votes cast as against, Mr. Woyongo’s 13, 224 represent 41. 67 per cent. The two gentlemen are in the race again and what makes it interesting is that the PNC which is not presenting a candidate for this year’s race is reported to have thrown its weight behind Mr. Mark Woyongo. In 2008, the PNC candidate, Mr. Gabriel Pwamang polled 4,026 votes. Assuming all these votes goes to add to that of what Mr. Woyongo obtained in 2008, it will add up to 18, 380. With this one can safely call it for Mr. Woyongo, who doubles as the current Regional Minister. But politics like a game of football is not east to predict. The NPP since the year 2000 have had a grip on the Navrongo constituency. In the 2000 elections, the late John Setuni Achuliwor contested on the NPP’s ticket and defeated the NDCs Clement T. Bugase by 143 votes. Achuliwor polled 11,246 while Bugase had 11,103 votes. The rest was shared between five other candidates who contested in that race. Following the death of John Setuni Achuliwor in 2003, Mr. Adda a MP. He won the by-election for the Navrongo Central constituency. In the 2004 elections, Adda retained his seat after he defeated NDCs Emmanuel Andema, the current Municipal Chief Executive for the Kassena-Nankana East. In that polls, Adda polled 12, 444 votes while Mr. Andema came a distant third with 6,201. Mr. Adda comes into this year’s race with a lot of experience likewise his contender who has also in the past three-and-half years have done so much for the region as a whole and the Kassena-Nankana East DistrictThe race for the Bolgatanga East Constituency is between PNC’s David Apasera, NDC’s Lawyer Dominic Ayine, former charismatic MCE for Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly, Rockson Bukari who is contesting on the slot of the NPP and PPP Baba Starling. Two times MP, David Apesara comes into this race with a wealth of experience. In 2000 and 2004 he won the then Bolgatanga Central constituency handsomely and wields the ability to annexed the newlty created constituency. NDC’s Lawyer Dominic Ayine is well known for his contribution to the party at the national level but at the local level, he has a lot of convincing to do if he is to secure the seat for his part. Charismatic Rockson Bukari as MCE for Bolgatanga during the Kufour administration worked hard and as to whether this will earn him the votes to become the first MP for the newly created seat will be known after December 7. NDC’s Albert Abongo is synonymous with the Bongo constituency and it is likely he will retain the seat considering the strength and power of his close contender, Madam Diana Abuyiya Asuure of the NPP Internal wrangling in the aftermath of the elections of Madam Asuure to the extent that a section of party faithful held a press conference calling for her removal a few months back means the differences have not been resolved and that gives the NDC near walkover. Also in the race for Bongo are Mr. Jacob Nsoh of the PNC, Peter Ayamga Akugre of the CPP and an independent candidate Mr. Clement Ayorigo. One interesting constituency to watch in the Upper East Region is Bawku Central. Five people are vying for that seat. They are Deputy Education Minister, Mr. Mahama Ayagira, NDC, Former Deputy Managing Director of Metro TV, Alhassan Ayariga, NPP, Businessman Iddrisu Mubarak, PPP, Farmer Joseph Awini Aguuga, PNC, and Teacher, Madam Zaliya Ibrahim the only female candidate in the constituency on the ticket of CPP. The prediction is that NPP’s Alhassan Haruna will retain the seat for the part particularly when he enjoys good support from his kinsmen, the Bissa community though figures from that block is relatively not much. Both leading parties, NDC and NPP have made inroads into each other territory and courting massive support from the electorate. Again the recent court ruling that squashed the claim against the NPP candidate that he is not a Ghanaian appears to have enhanced his popularity and bolstered his chances. In the Binduri Constituency, the race for the seat in between Ben Noah Azure, NDC, Stephen M.D. Yakubu, the incumbent NPP MP, William Ayinga Abanga, PPP and Cyprian Azure Ayendago, PNC. In the year 2000, the NDC polled 12, 174. In 2004 they dropped to 9,797 and in 2008 the NDC lost when they polled 8,357 as against NPP’s 9,103. Having toppled the NDC from that seat, the incumbent, Mr. Stephen Yakubu is determined to retain his seat. For the Pusiga Constituency, the race is between Madam Laadi Ayii Ayamba, NDC, Imoro Sarko, NPP, and William Abako Abosa, PPP. Irrespective of the race coming from the other contenders, the vibrancy of the campaign as waged by Madam Laadi Ayii Ayamba put her in the lead . Five people are vying for the Chiana/Paga seat. Mr. Abuga Pele, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) is seeking to unseat NPP’s Leo Kabah Alowe. Also in the race are Mr. Muniru Aloah Adoa of the PPP, Journalist Francis Niagra Santuah on the ticket of PNC and Desmond Ayirevire for the CPP. Mr. Pele won the seat in 2000 and 2004. In 2000, he won by securing 15, 391 votes while in 2004 he polled 11,824. In 2008, as a result of the emergence of an independent candidate from the NDC stock, Mr. Pele lost the seat when he secured 7, 380 votes as against NPP’s Leo Kabah Alowe who had 8, 323 votes. The race many people are watching keenly is that between, NDC John Tia Akolgu and Robert Nachinab Doaneng of the NPP in the Talensi constituency. Also in the race are Ramson Yinbil Babihitzaaya of the CPP, Dr. Micheal Wombeogo, PNC and Dominic Mogre, PPP.The incumbent, Mr. Tia Akolgu a former Minister for Information has occupied the seat since 1992 and there is a sense among a section of the electorate that he has overstayed his welcome and as such must give way to others, a position those on the NDC side vehemently disagree. Indeed buoyed by this call, the NPP candidate has predicted that there will be a political tsunami and by the close of day, he will be crowned as the new MP for Talensi. In 2000, John Tia Akolgu polled 9,655 as against NPP’s Hajia M.A. Abagna-Kaldi who had 7, 607 votes. In 2004, John Tia won but slumped to 8, 346 votes while the NPP’s Hajia M.A. Abagna-Kaldi secured 5,354. Incidentally, Robert Nachinab Doaneng contested in that elections as an independent candidate and secured 4, 582 votes. In 2008, John Tia pushed up to 9, 548 while the NPP with Sebastian Tibil Bisnab of the NPP gaining 7, 469 votes. PNC, Dr. Micheal Wombeogo who is making a secondly attempt after his failed mission in 2008 is hoping to improved his performance. Incumbent MP for Garu constituency, Mr. Dominic Azimbe Azumah of the NDC will be contested by former Regional Minister, Alhassan Samari, NPP, Dominic Ligadya Dinko, CPP and Seidu James Achel of the NDP. In the 2008 polls, Mr. Dominic Azimbe Azumah of the NDC polled 16, 318 votes to defeat former Upper East Regional Minister, Alhassan Samari who had 15, 650 votes. With the constituency now split it will be interesting to see which of them emerge winner in the race. In the newly created Tempane, four contestants are in race for the sole ticket to represent the people in parliament. They are immediate past DCE for Garu-Tempane, David Adakurugu, NDC, Mr. Joseph Akudibillah, NPP, Samson Kangben Laar, PPP and Madam Akugri Laadi for the PNC. In the Nabdam constituency, another veteran parliamentarian, Mr. Moses Asaga of the NDC will be contested once again by former Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Boniface Gambila of the NPP. Others in the race are Gabilemm Ditamina, PPP, David Kurug, PNC and William Atampugre, CPP. Majority Leader in Parliament and NDC MP for the Zebilla Constituency, Mr. Cletus Apul Avoka is likely to have a walk in the park against his contenders Mr. Frank Fuseini Adongo, NPP, Atang Naba, NDP, and an independent candidate, Mallam Ali Yusuf Isa. In the Builsa South constituency, four persons filed to contest the seat. They are Roger Abolimbisa Akantagriwen for the NDC, Paulina Morton-Bruce for the NPP, Alhassan Azong, the incumbent MP, for the PNC and Mr. Daniel Kunde who is contesting on the ticket of the CPP. Three persons are in the race for the Builsa North Constituency. They are NDC’s James Agalga, Mrs. Agnes Asangalisah Chigabatia, former Deputy Minister and former MP on the ticket of the NPP, and Mr. Francis Agilinko, a 36 year old teacher for the PNC. -End-

Social advocate calls for peaceful election

Story:Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga A cadre and an advocate for social justice, Mr. Noble Alagskoma Asakeya has called on Ghanaians to at al times choose peace over violence. In an interview with the Daily Graphic at Bolgatanaga few days to the presidential and parliamentary elections, the former assembly member said Ghana is far bigger than any political party or an individual and therefore nothing untoward should be done to disturb the prevailing peace before, during and after the elections if not, posterity will never forgive Ghanaians. "WHat happened in Rwanda in 1994 is still fresh in our minds. I therefore, desire to caution all our political office seekers, social commentators, private TV and radio stations, Serial callers, social commentators to know that the interest of Ghana supersedes any other interest. Mr Asakeya lauded the PResident and flag bearer of the NAtional. Democratic Congress(NDC) Mr. John D. Mahama for declaring that this year's elections should be issue-based and not who can insult most or uncivil in dealing with his political opponent. 'Ghana has come very far in terms of its democratic dispensation. We should therefore, strive to sustain it so that the better Ghana agenda could be pursued to improve the lot of Ghanaians particular the downtrodden and to also serve as an inspiration to the rest of the world but more importantly, Africa' He said the desire to retain or recapture political power should never be a 'do and die affair' adding that losing an election should not be interpreted to mean the end of one's life or political career. He reintegrated the need for all to make this year's elections as peaceful as ever to protect the massive investments made in the key sectors of the economy over the years like education, health, agriculture, energy and roads amongst others. As a cadre Mr. Asekeya expressed the wish that the candidate for the NDC is maintained as the president emphasing that his commitment and zest in the socio-economic , political as well as cultural issues coupled with his leadership style will bring lasting peace and stability to Ghana which is a pre-requisite for accelerated development and poverty eradication. -end- Writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.come.gh

EC distributes ballots papers for Friday’s general election

Story & Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Upper East Regional Office of the Electoral Commission has expressed its readiness for the general elections on Friday. According to the Regional Director of the Commission, Mr. Bruce Ayisi, electoral materials are being dispatched to polling stations across the region.Speaking to the Daily Graphic at premises of the Regional Police Headquarter in Bolgatanga were ballot papers are being distributed to all municipal and District Officer for onward safe keeping at the district level, Mr. Ayisi assured the public of maximum security at every polling station.Representatives of the NDC, NPP and PNC were present at the police headquarters to check the seal numbers before the bags containing ballots papers were moved out from the police strong room for onwards transportation to the districts amidst police escort.The Upper East Regional has a total of 15 constituencies with 1,141 polling stations. The breakdown is as follows: Builsa South 52, Builsa North, 71, Kassena-Nankana East 97, Kassena Nankana West 117, Bolgatanga Central and Bolgatanga East have a total of 140, Bongo gas 94, The others are Talensi 74, Nabdam; 41, Bawku West 106, Bawku Central 185, Pusiga 64, Garu and Tempane constituency have a combined number of 100 polling stations.Out of the total number of polling stations, the EC and the Regional Security Task force have identified 438 of them as flashpoint and officials have assured enough men will be deployed to maintain security during the polls. -End- writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Australian Gov’t commended for supporting disability sports in Upper East

Story& Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Australian Government has been commended for supporting Persons With Disability(PWDs) in the Upper East Region with assorted sports equipments, capacity building programmes and creating an enabling environment for the promotion of our sports among PWDS. Under a programme dubbed “We Know Sports, PWDs In Active Sports”, the Australian Government through funding by AUSAID has significantly contributed to develop and promote disability sports, disability rights and inclusive development in the region. They have also held a series of capacity building workshops on sports planning and management, advocacy, publicity for PWD sports and also provided a number of sports equipment including twelve (12) sports wheel chairs, four Javelins, three and three discus to PWDS. This has led to the organization of the first ever inter-regional disability sports competition was successfully organized between the Northern Region and the Upper East Region to challenge the unfortunate and wrong perception that, sports is the preserve of the able-bodied. Mr. Awal Ahmed, Project Manager of Rural Initiatives for Self-Empowerment (RISE) Ghana, an NGO working to champion the cause of PWDs made the commendation at Bolgatanga during a duty tour of the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. William Billy Williams. Mr. Ahmed while expressing appreciation to the Australian Government for funding the noble initiative urged the High Commission and the AUSAID team to continue to support and entrust them with resources to put more smiles on the faces of more women, children and the deprived. For his part, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. William Billy Williams pledged to deepen the relationship of disable sports between his country and Ghana based on the biggest reputation of sports in Australia. He said Australia is committed to providing the same opportunity to everybody no matter where the individual comes from by providing the disabled in the Upper East Region with sports equipments. The High Commissioner commended RISE Ghana for their efforts at promoting inclusive society and called on Persons with Disabilities to use their skills to contribute to the betterment of the society. According to him, Australian High Commission is providing funds in small grants to communities in Ghana and countries in the sub-region in sectors such as water and sanitation, renewable energy, education and agriculture, adding that these projects demonstrate Australia’s on-going commitment to deepening engagement with Ghana and across a full spectrum of issues including strengthened diplomatic links, increased development assistance, trade and commercial activity and greater people-to-people links. The Upper East Regional Sports Development Officer, Ewuntomah Iddrisu pledged to make good use of the sports equipments and called for more assistance from the Australian High Commission.

Ghana Grains Council establishes warehouse to help farmers reduce post harvest losses

Story& Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Ghana Grains Council, (GGC) in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Alliance for Green Revolution has initiated steps to address post-harvest losses among small scale farmers. To that end, GGC has established standard 80 metric tonne capacity warehouse each in four districts in the Upper East Region. The facility is located in Bawku West, Garu-Tempane, Talensi and Builsa districts. The facility will serve as initial grain aggregation points for the nucleus farmers. The grains once aggregated will be later transferred to GGC certified warehouse which has the facilities for cleaning, grading, fumigating, packaging and storing the grains to increase their market appeal and provide the opportunity for better prices. According to the Chief Executive Officer for GGC, Dr. Kadri Alfah , the once the out-growers deposit their grains in the facility, the farmers will be issued with a warehouse receipt which can be used as collateral for credit from banks and micro-finance institutions. In an interview with the Daily Graphic at Pwalugu in the Talensi District after a day’s training programme on warehouse management for operators of the warehouse, he said the aim of the training was to help operators understand warehouse practices, grain standards, grading and storage and be able to deliver quality produce the Ghana Grains Council certified warehouse. Dr. Alfah who is also an expert in warehousing, ware house receipting and commodity exchange added that the warehouse receipts system would offer the farmers the opportunity to clean, grade, fumigate, package and store appropriately to increase market appeal. He expressed the hope that farmers will gain valuable skills and derive the necessary benefit by utilizing the facility and adopt the appropriate storage of grains to reduce warehouse post harvest losses. Ghana Grains Council is a non-profit, private, private sector organization formed in March 2010 with members drawn from grain value chains, including farmers, traders, food processors and various services providers, including banks and other financial institutions. It is the leading grain industry association responsible for establishing warehouse standards based on best industry practices for the reduction of post harvest storage losses of grains. -

Political Parties tasked to protect prevailing peace in Bawku ahead of elections

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Paramount Chief for the Bawku Traditional Area in the Upper East Region, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka has charged political parties and their followers within the jurisdiction not to do anything to disturb the delicate peaceful atmosphere currently existing in Bawku. He has also called on the various security agencies to ensure that no one is spared for any act that violate the prevailing peace in the area. Naba Azoka made the call on Wednesday during a durbar to climax this year’s Samanpiid festival of the chiefs and people of Kusaug at Bawku. The Samanpiid festival is an annual celebration of the Kusasis tribe not only to thanks the ancestors of the land for a successful farming season but also a period where inhabitants showcase their culture and also gather to map out the way forward in development. The Paramount Chief reminded the people of the turbulence period the people of Bawku have had to endure for the past years due to ethnic conflict and said the time has come for all to put the dark period behind and forge ahead in peace. “I believe we have come to the end of the dark tunnel. I wish to use this occasion to caution all my subjects and residents of Kusaug generally not to do anything to disturb the delicate peace now existing in Bawku” To all political parties, he said “the rules of the game have been clearly defined and we must all do well to abide by them”. He also encouraged the law-enforcement agencies to remain focused and steadfast in their task to ensure law and order in the traditional area during and after the polls. Naba Azoka said so far the handlers of security in Bawku have proved to be on top of their job and commended them for their swift movements to flashpoints in the area anytime there is a sound of gun-shot Touching on other developments over the period under review, Naba Azoka commended the government for subsidizing the prize of fertilizer wish has contributed to good yields and boosted food production in the area. He however bemoaned the few cases of smuggling of the products to neighboring countries but expressed the appreciation to the security agencies for their role in battling the activities of the smugglers. He also commended government for responding positively on a petition for the reconstruction of the Bawku –Bolgatanga highway adding that even though some work has started as pledged by the Upper East regional minister, work on the road will be fast-tracked to save travelers from the hardship they face. The Bawku Naba also renewed an appeal to the management of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority, SADA, to include the proposed Tamne Irrigation dam Project in the planned construction of dams for irrigation purposes for the benefit of farmers from the area. The Municipal Chief Executive for Bawku, Mr. Musah Abdulai reiterated the call for peace stressing that for any growth and development to take place and sustained, the need for peace is paramount. He noted that as the country inch closer to election and taking cognizance of the peculiar situation of the area, it was incumbent on the people of Bawku to uphold their resolve to keep the peace of the area. He said to demonstrate the need for all live in peace, leaders of all political parties in the municipality have signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to eshew violence and to educate their followers to help sustain the mutual respect for other parties in the political contest and not to see their opponents as enemies. He therefore expressed the hope that all will abide it for peaceful elections. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Owen Woyongo said situations, in which people live in constant fear of being attacked scare investors away, cause stagnation of the local economy and lead to the loss of human resources are some of the worse experiences that takes place when conflicts occur. He therefore expressed the hope that the people in Bawku will continue to sustain the relative peace and even deepen it so that they can benefit also from the development that the present Government has been pursuing for the country. -End- Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

UE PNC rubbishes calls to have Ayariga ousted

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Upper East Regional Branch of the Peoples National Convention, (PNC), has disassociated itself from calls by some members of the party to have the party’s flag bearer; Mr. Hassan Ayariga kicked out two-weeks to the December 7 general elections. The Regional Secretary of the party, Mr. Henry Fatchu such attempt to have the flag bearer ousted before the general elections smacks of dishonesty and a lack of understanding of the democracy. He argued that Mr. Ayariga was duly elected at a congress in Sunyani and was officially given a mandate to leader the party into election 2012. Therefore for any individual or group of persons to gang up and to lead a campaign to have the flag bearer removal on the flimsiest of excuse two –weeks to elections smack of lack of appreciation of the tenets of democracy . Mr. Hassan Ayariga has been accused of being an appendage of the governing NDC NDC after his performance at the last IEA debate by some national executives of the party including the National Youth Organizer, Abu Ramadan. The flag bearer has also incurred the wrath of some parliamentary candidates who are alleged to have accused him of working against the part. The group therefore asking the leadership of the party to call the party’s flag bearer to order or force him to step down. In an interview, the Upper East Regional Secretary of the party, Henry Fatchu dismissed the call, stressing that it was misplaced. He said rather than jumping from one radio station to the other and holding press conferences, those championing that campaign should hit the party’s election 2012 campaign trail and mobilize more votes for the party. Mr. Fatchu doubted the level of commitment of those calling for the head of Hassan Ayariga and said even from the privilege position of those championing the call, they have failed to lobby and get support for parliamentary candidates, especially women. “We have female aspirants in this region, who do not have posters, yet, it is a known fact that there are NGOs in Accra who are extending support to women. What have been their contribution to helping our female access these kind of financial support?” he question. “I can tell you for a fact that, those of us in the regions, are working so hard, moving from community to community, village to village to campaign for the party and help the party win more seats in parliament and the least we expect is such divisive calls that has the potential of derailing the forward match of the PNC. He conceded that there is high level of indiscipline in the party this is something the Council of elders and the National Executive Council of the party must work on to bring every one on board. “We are deeply worried at such calls and something must be done about it. He accused those leading the campaign for failing to turn-up at Gwollu fort he launch of the party manifesto by the flag bearer and said if they showed their faces there, visited the grave side of the founder of the party and interacted with the core supporters of the party, they wouldn’t have started the campaign to have the flag bearer ousted at this late hour. Mr. Fatchu enjoin all those leading the campaign to oust Mr. Hassan Ayariga to hit the campaign trail in whatever little way since their input is valuable to the cause of the party. He disagreed with opinions that Mr. Hassan Ayariga did not performed at the IEA debate stressing that all the issues he raised relevant and salient. “He, Hassan Ayariga has set out to redefined politics in Ghana by preaching togetherness, inclusiveness, youth empowerment and economic growth and he articulated his views clearly at the IEA platform. He insisted Mr. Ayariga’s output at the debate does not amount to doing the bidding of any political party but rather utilized it articulate his vision for Ghana. The Upper East Regional Secretary of the party called on all to rally behind their candidate and give him the support in the race for the presidency. -End- Writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

World Vision engages people in Bawku in peace forum

World Vision engages people in Bawkuin peace forum. Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga World Vision Ghana (WV), has organized a peace forum in Bawku as part of its contribution to national peace building ahead of the December 7, 2012 polls. The foruminvolving religious and community leaders was to demonstrate the essence of peace and the need for all to sustain the prevailing peace before, during and after the elections. Also present were some selected Junior High Schoolsincluding personnel from the NCCE and the various security agencies among a cross section of the public.Bawku hasin the recent past witnessedinter-ethnic violenceinvolving the Mamprusis and Kusasis, the dominant tribesin the area. The town is alsoincludedin the list of flashpoint ahead for the polls. Mr. Thomas Abilla, spokespersons for the Paramount Chief of the Zug-ran Naba Asigri Abugrago Azokain a speech read on behalf of the chief, underscored the need for peace before, during and after the 2012 elections. He saidBawku, once an economic hubin the northern parts of the country, has traded that accolade due to the violent conflict and has since suffered the consequences as a result. He said though the area is currently enjoying relative peace, economic and social activities have dwindled as traders fear to engage thepeople in their trading activities. This, he noted, has affected the pace of development causing most residents to travel far and near to safeguard their lives and properties. On education, he said BECE results collated for the past two years clearly shows that the conflict has taken a toll on academic performance of students. Mr. Abilla said considering the relative peace being enjoyed by thepeople, development was picking up, emphasizing thatpeople are tired of the conflict and were committed to the current peace process. He therefore encouraged residents ofBawku to sustain the peace and cooperate with the security agencies as the country gears up for the upcoming December polls. He said with discipline and tolerance the area was poised to ensuring a peaceful electoral process devoid of violent behaviors. The youth, he observed are responsible for determining the future of the area. He moreover advised the youth to exercise high sense of decorum and firmnessin their decision and not allow themselves to be used as elements for violence. He expressed appreciation to the various religiousinstitutions for demonstrating true commitment to peacein Bawku, and urged others to emulate their shining examples. The Operations Based Team Manager ofWorld Vision, Madam Benedicta Pealore encouraged thepeople ofBawku to strive for peace to allow accelerated developmentin the area. She said though the upcoming election is characterized with tension, Ghanaians with one accord, can once again prove to theworld that the nation is capable of exercising a violent free election. There were peace messages from some pupils on behalf of the childrenin the area. Abdulai Wasila of Methodist JHS and Issahaku Hadi of Mother Theresa Educational centre who represented the youth stressed on the need for all stakeholders to embrace peacein the forthcoming elections. -End- Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

E.C engage parliamentary candidates in U/E ahead of polls

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga. The Upper East Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr. Bruce Ayisi has enlisted the support of all stakeholders to ensure a successful conduct of polls in the region. He said the EC has over the years exhibited high level of professionalism with respect to electoral conduct and assured the general public that the commission was set to conduct much credible voting exercise through the use of the biometric option but entreated the public and all stakeholders to cooperate with the commission. Mr. Ayisi said these at a dialogue with parliamentary candidates and political party representatives as well as a section of the public at Bolgatanga. The session was on the theme: ‘Enhancing the credibility of Ghana’s Election” and was supported by in DFID and KAB Governance Consult (KGC). It was aimed at demonstrating the commission’s commitment at maintaining the credibility of the polls and to reduce the possibility of violent confrontations by political party loyalists. It was also held to further deepen the confidence of the candidates on the forthcoming 2012 general elections. Mr. Ayisi, stated that the E.C has been transparent and responsive in dealing with electoral issues, adding that the EC will not renege in its effort to maintain the status quo He said 63 parliamentary candidates have filed nominations on the ticket of the various political parties to contest in parliamentary elections in the fifteen constituencies in the Upper East Region. Out of the figure, 57 of them are males while the remaining six are females. He assured all the aspiring parliamentary candidates as well as the political parties that the doors of the E.C are always opened and urged them to always approach his outfit so that together they will work to make the elections in the region peaceful and successful. The Deputy Regional Director of the EC, Mr. Azu Bosco Anyigire, disclosed that the provisional figures of voters in the region stood at 566, 859 adding that a number of activities have been organized by the EC including workshop for women, persons with disability, training of personal on the use of the Biometric verification machine attendants all in readiness of the election. He pointed out that the EC will work closely with the Regional Election Security Taskforce to ensure that all rules governing the polls are applied stringently to ensure a free fair and transparent election devoid of electoral malfeasance. According to him, the EC has checks in place for persons with all forms of disability and would ensure that they are well catered for through the use of tactile ballots. On the issue of double registration, Mr. Anyigire said his outfit will pursue persons that indulge in the act whilst applying the necessary sanction against them. He said with the aid of the biometric verification process, such persons would be disenfranchised. -End- writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Junior Graphic for deprieved schools(J/G November 21-27, 2012 page 2)

Story & Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Graphic Communication Group Limited as part of is Corporate Social Responsibility activities have identified some deprived school in the Upper East Region which will be supplied with copies of its youth oriented newspaper, the Junior Graphic’. The project is in collaboration with suppliers of the company’s newsprint and it is targeted rekindling the habit of reading among the youth. It is also aimed at promoting reading and literacy among the pupils and students, as well as motivates the youth to learn from the lives and works of eminent Ghanaians. Beneficiary schools in the Upper East Region are the Bukere Primary School, Zaare Primary School and Aningazanga Primary School. Under the programme, each school is to be supplied with five copies of the Junior Graphic weekly. The publication will be stocked in the libraries of the selected schools where students are expected to access them. At Bukere Primary School where the first batch of supplies where handed over to the school, the Assistant Headmistress, Mrs. Momori Umuheira expressed appreciation to Graphic Communications Group Limited for the initiative. Similar sentiments were expressed by the Headmistress of Aningazanga Primary School, Ms. Felicia Kanton who also stated that the gesture will go a long way to boost reading habits of the pupils. -end- Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover

Yaale community benefit from free medical outreach

Story & Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Yaale

Yaale community is one of the most deprived in the Talensi district is of the Upper East Region. Social amenities such as clinics, schools, water, and electricity are lacking or inadequate. The road network is poor. The major occupation of the people is small scale mining and subsistence farming and this is characterized by low yields mainly due to low soil fertility erratic rainfall pattern and small farm sizes. The community has no clinic or health post. The alternative facility is the Presbyterian Primary Health Care Centre at Namolgo, which is about eight kilometers away Yaale. There is also a health post at Datoku however the nature of the settlement pattern and poor road network has made patronage of these health facilities by the people of Yaale is rather poor, thereby causing high incidences of disease and illness. High poverty levels of the people of the area are manifested in their inability to register for the National Health Insurance Scheme that will also help them access health care. Touched by their plight, Eastwood Anaba Ministries under its social transformation wing organized a medical outreach in the community. A team of medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists screened the people for various ail-ments and administered drugs. Those with critical cases were referred to the Regional Hospital for further attention. Apart from the medical screening, the medical team also gave out gifts, including clothing for adults. shoes, baby clothing to the people. A total of 160 people made up of 86 adults and 74 children were registered onto the National Health Insurance Scheme to enable people use their cards to access health care in nearby communities. An associate member of the E.A.M, Mrs. Ruth Wallace said the programme was birthed by Rev Eastwood and Mrs. Rosemond Anaba to primarily to extend the God’s love to the community and to propagate the gospel of Christ. She explained that the medical outreach was designed to see to the economic, social, as well as the spiritual development of the deprived in the society adding that aside the medical outreach, E.A.M has also embarked on an educational support programme where children are assisted from pre-school to tertiary levels. She added that it was the objective of organization to in the future provide, funds permitting to provide social amenities such as water to deprived communities, support agriculture which is the main occupation of the people and well as enhance skill acquisition by the youth, stressing that “our aim is to ensure that more people are empowered”. Mrs. Wallace said through that they hope to storm the tide of migration to urban areas and also help the youth to put a stop social to vices. The Coordinator of the Medical Outreach programme, Dr. Hornametor Afake said the aim of the programme was to reach out to the people in the community who in one way or another did not have access health facility in the community. He said some of the conditions examined were malaria, high blood pressure, respiratory tract infections, wound dressing, ophthalmology cases and anemia in children amongst others. The Assembly man for the Garri-Gbane Electoral Area, Mr. Bismark Yumah was grateful to the medical team and Eastwood Anaba Ministries for the gesture and expressed the hope that it would be sustained. He appealed to philanthropists and corporate bodies to help build a Junior High school in the area to save the children who have completed their primary school from walking long distances to attend JHS School in neighboring communities. Mr. Yumah said the district assembly has not been able to meet all their development needs of the community to lift them out of their socio-economic status. He said it was through the self-help of the people and the support of some non-governmental organizations that saw the construction of a primary school and the provision of a borehole for the area. He appealed the Eastwood Anaba Ministries to provide the community with a clinic for the area since health care was paramount to the people. -End- Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover A member of the medical team attending to a community member during the screening exercise

Court restrained EC from registering Kasena voters(D/G November 27,2012)

The Electoral Commission (EC) has explained that its failure to register some prospective voters in the Navrongo Central Constituency stems from the fact that a court injunction restrained it from doing so. The Upper East Regional Director of the EC, Mr Bruce Ayisi, told the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga that following disagreements over the naming of the electoral area, residents of the area boycotted the biometric voters registration exercise. He, however, said the Accra Fast Track High Court, on October 18, 2012, ordered the EC to take steps to register the people of the Atosali-Azaasi Electoral Area under the same name, Atosali-Azaasi Electoral Area, following a suit initiated by a resident. However, Mr Ayisi said, another resident of one of the affected electoral areas also filed a motion for stay of execution, for which reason the EC had to suspend the exercise till date. He said as a result of the legal tussle, which is yet to be determined, the people of the Atosali-Azaasi Area did not have their details captured in the voters register and would, therefore, miss the opportunity to participate in the December 7, 2012 general election. During the biometric voters registration exercise, residents of the Akurugu Daboo Electoral Area said they were not happy with the change of name of the area from Akurugu Daboo to Atosali-Azaasi by persons they believed were settlers in the community without their consultation. As a result, they failed to partake in the exercise and the case was sent to court. In 2010, the people of the Atosali-Azaasi Electoral Area, as a result of the disagreement over the naming of the electoral area, failed to participate in the district assembly election and so they did not have an elected representative in the Kassena-Nankana East Municipal Assembly. There are 97 polling stations in the constituency, out of which those likely not to be involved in the elections are the Akurugu Daboo Primary School, Azaasi Primary School, Gayingo Primary School, Doba JHS and Doba Primary School polling stations. Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

New NHIA regional office inaugurated at Bolgatanga by Prez. Mahama

Story & Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA has inaugurated a two storey office Regional Office block for the National Health Insurance Authority at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. The project, one of ten being constructed across the country, which was being undertaken by the NHIA, is part of governments towards the provision of infrastructure towards the delivery of an efficient and effective health insurance system in the country. Work on the GH c 500, 000 office block commenced in June 2011 and completed in October this year. It will have offices for the various aspects of the NHIA operations in the region. Speaking at the ceremony, President Mahama expressed the hope that the edifice will not only create an enabling atmosphere for the smooth administration of national health insurance scheme but also contribute to a better, effectively and efficiently management of the scheme in order to deliver a scheme that will increase access to health care, in term of quality and in terms of delivery. He reiterated the fact that the scheme has been growing from strength to strength with subscriptions more than doubled adding that more people are accessing quality health care under the NHIS compared to four years ago. President Mahama said Ghana’s health insurance scheme has become a model for Africa with many other African countries sending people to study how Ghana has managed and achieved this level of success. “These successes have reflected in country’s human development Indicators. For instance, Maternal Mortality has come down from 450 to 280. Though significant, we have not achieve the MDG goal on Maternal Mortality” he said He commended the staff of the NHIA and urged them to continue to work hard with the assurance that government will do its part by supporting the scheme and make it one of the best in the world.

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority, Mr. Sylvester Mensah said contrary to speculations, NHIS utilisation has witnessed an increase. He said for instance In 2007, utilisation was around 5 million while in 2008, utilisation jumped up to 12.5million. He said between 2008 and 2011, utilisation was 25.4 million. “This represents growing public confidence in the scheme and an indication that more and more people are enrolling onto the scheme and more and more people are accessing health care through the use of the NHIS card”, he said. Mr. Mensah said that notwithstanding, the authority appreciates the fact that there are a lot more people who may be having challenges in securing their ID cards and accessing health care. To address this difficulty, he said the authority will soon be issuing instant biometric identity cards to its subscribers eliminate the delays in the issuance of ID cards to persons who want to register with the scheme and also put an end to cases where some subscribers never receive their cards after registration. Again, he said the authority have set up a call centre where subscribers and service providers alike could lodge complain either at the point of service delivery or when there are challenges with the authority in order to have a rapid response to the problem. “We are blazing the trail with this shame, like any other country running a social health insurance scheme, we have some challenges but what is important is that what strategies are in place to address those challenges, and that is what we have done”. “We reckon that we have isolated cases of difficulties in hospitals clients are asked to pay for services but the scheme will continue to educate the public in order to overcome such challenges” he added. -End- benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Kassena-Nankana East honours 18 farmers

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Gia The Kassena Nankana East Municipal Director of Agriculture, Mr. Adamu Seidu Vasco has identified the shortage of staff in departments as a major hindrance affecting agriculture services delivery in the area. He said dwindling staff strength due to retirement and death of staff without corresponding replacement affects efforts by extension officers to reach farmers to answer their queries and help in facilitating increased income, food security and reduced poverty in the municipality. Mr. Adamu Seidu Vasco said this during the district celebration of National Farmers Day at Gia. In all 18 farmers from the municipality were presented with awards at the event with Mr. Ignatus Kwokiyoni Asuakwo being adjudged the Best Municipal farmer for Kassena-Nankana District. He received a motorized tricycle, a radio set, half piece of cloth, a pair of wellington boots, three cutlasses, bars of soap, a bag of fertilizer and a certificate. Speaking at the function, Mr. Adamu Seidu Vasco said apart of the inadequate staff, another major challenge facing agriculture in the municipality was the deliberate refusal of farmers to pay for inputs advanced to them to support them in their activities. This attitude, he maintained smacks of dishonesty on the part of those farmers. He disclosed that last year, only 50 per cent recovery was made on the block farming programme. He however cautioned that the department of agriculture will adopt all available means to pursue defaulting farmers to the recovery of any support extended to them. The Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Emmanuel Andema urged farmers constitute themselves into groups since it was only through that they can access agriculture extension services, information on agricultural technologies and the best farming practices that are environmentally friendly. “By coming together to form strong groups, our farmers would also be able to empower their members to influence policies of government that affect their livelihood”, he said. -End- benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Ministry of Youth and Sport distribute footballs to SHS in UE

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Ministry of Youth and Sports has presented over 2,000 footballs to the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council for onward distribution to all senior high/technical schools [SHS] and all district and municipal assemblies in the region. Mr. Michael Frimpong, Public Relations Officer handed over the items to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Owen Woyongo at brief ceremony in Bolgatanga. The items are to be distributed to each Senior High School as well as Municipal and District Assemblies to help in the development of sports, especially soccer in their respective districts. Mr. Frimpong said the ministry has already done similar distributions other regions across the country and is working to distribute other sports kits in the future. The Regional Minister commended the Ministry of Youth and Sports for its efforts at sports development at the senior high school level noting that, the move will produce the needed young and energetic footballers to replace the current ones in the national male and female teams many of whose players are ageing. Mr. Woyongo noted with worry that many youth in the region’s schools and districts hitherto used improvised footballs in their training sessions and hoped the presentation by the youth and sports ministry will go a long to whip up the youth’s interests in the game and also enhance sports development in general. He cautioned sports masters at the schools not to sell the footballs or keep them to themselves while asking students to combine both sports and academics effectively. According to Mr. Woyongo, sport, especially football is big business in today’s world and commended some basic school pupils who won several prizes at the just ended Milo Marathon in Accra. He also congratulated the Black Maidens for their feat in the just ended Women’s Under-17 World Cup and encouraged young girls to participate actively in football saying the game is not exclusive to men only. The Upper East Regional Physical Education Coordinator at the Ghana Education Service, Mr. Thomas Awiah expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the gesture but appealed for the provision of adequate support for other sport disciplines such as hockey, hand ball, table tennis and others in order to develop the youth in all the areas of sports available in the country. Mr. Awiah said all the 23 public senior high and technical schools, 11 private SHS, three community SHS and other technical/ vocational schools will all receive the footballs. -end- benjamin.glover@graphic.co.gh

Regional Health Director says District Assemblies must invest more in Health of Women and Children

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. John Koku Awoonor-Williams has challenged the Regional Coordinating Council, Municipal and District Assemblies in the region to invest more in health if the issues of women and children are to be addressed. “Enough of the political talks and posturing while women and children continues to die”, he lamented. Dr. Koku Awoonor-Williams made the call at a conference in Bolgatanga to address maternal mortality issues in the region. He said ever since former first lady, Dr. Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills launched Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa’, in Bolgatanga in November last year, not much has happened as practical and demonstrable commitments from the Municipal and District Assemblies. “Pregnant women and children continue to die in our various communities and villages and health facilities. Health facilities and CHPS Compounds are in deplorable state that needs the attention of local District Executives”, he said adding that staff working in remote and deprived communities need motivation from district assemblies that are not forthcoming. According to him, there are very little investments in health infrastructure by the Regional Coordinating Council and Municipal and District Assemblies, emphasising that the health workforce in the region is precarious and yet indigenous students needing financial support to undertake medical training are hardly supported. “I think we can do better and must do better. Let’s walk the talk”, he stressed. He said between January and June this year health institutions in the region recorded 17 maternal deaths as against 23 maternal deaths recorded within the same period last year. Dr. Awoonor-Williams noted that even though the region have over the years performed well in safe motherhood especially infant and maternal health leading the rest of the nation much still needs to be done since one maternal death is an epidemic. He said with Ghana as one of the signatories Millennium Declarations and with the change in its status to a middle income country,, accelerating the reduction of maternal and child deaths through proven cost effective interventions such as family planning, has become even more urgent. While appreciating the need for regional, district and community level ownership of health and development and particularly maternal health, Dr. Awoonor-Williams expressed the hope that all stakeholders in the health sector will take on the multifaceted issues of maternal mortality and address them to eventually curb maternal deaths in the region to the barest minimum. The Regional Director of Health lamented that Millennium Development Goal 4 and 5 which prioritize skilled attendance at delivery remains a difficult challenge for Ghana, as said as 2015 draws near, he reiterated the urgency for all, including health workers, civil society, community leaders and development partners to assist the directorate to re-focus and re-double their commitment and accountability in continually directing resources at the many proven cost-effective community based health interventions to reduce the unfortunate deaths of mothers and their children to complete the joy that childbearing bring to families and society. Dr. Peter Baffoe, Senior Specialist- Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in a presentation said postpartum hemorrhage has been identified as the most common direct cause of maternal death in the region. Out of the 17 maternal deaths recorded half way through the year, post partum haemorrhage (the loss of greater than 500 ml of blood following vaginal delivery, or 1000 ml of blood following cesarean section) accounted for eight of the deatsh. Other direct causes were hypertension, ecclampsia, cardiac failure, amniotic fluid embolism and unsafe abortions. On the way forward, Dr. Baffoe amongst others stressed the urgent need for regional blood mobilisation strategy and appealed to residents of the region to voluntarily donate blood to help stock the blood bank. He also emphasised the need for the implementation of audit recommendations, improvement in the transport system in the region in collaboration with members of the G.P.R.T.U and taxi drivers, as well as improved customer and staff attitude on the part health workers to help address some of the challenges. -End- Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

63 to contest 15 seats in Upper East

Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga SIXTY-THREE persons have filed nominations on the ticket of the various political partiesto contest in parliamentary electionsin the fifteen constituenciesin the Upper East Region. Statistics obtained from the Upper East Regional Office of the Electoral Commissionindicated that out of thetotal number of aspirants, 57 of them are males while the remaining six are females. The National Democratic Congress, (NDC), and the New Patriotic Party, (NPP), arecontestingin all the15 constituencies while the People National Convention, (PNC) have filed candidatesin 11 constituencies. The Progressive Peoples Party, (PPP) presented candidatesin 10 constituencies, while the Conventions Peoples Party made a showingin seven constituencies with the National Democratic Party, (NDP), filing candidatesin three constituencies. Twoindependent candidates filedin two constituenciesto contest in the race.In the Fumbisi constituency, four persons filedto contest the seat. They are Roger Abolimbisa Akantagriwen for the NDC, Paulina Morton-Bruce for the NPP, Alhassan Azong, theincumbent MP, for the PNC and Mr. Daniel Kunde who iscontesting on the ticket of the CPP. Three persons arein the race for the Sandema Constituency. They are NDC’s James Agalga, Mrs. Agnes Asangalisah Chigabatia, former Deputy Minister and former MP on the ticket of the NPP, and Mr. Francis Agilinko, a 36 year old teacher for the PNC. The Navrongo Central Constituency will witness a three-man race with the aspirants being, the current Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo for the NDC, Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda on the ticket of the NPP and Mr. Crispin Avanakwa Awupuri, a 40 year old teacher who iscontesting on the ticket of the PPP. Five people are vying for the Chiana/Paga seat. Mr. Abuga Pele, Executive Director of the National Youth Employment Programme of the NDC will be seekingto unseat, NPP’s Leo Kabah Alowe. Alsoin teh race are Mr. Muniru Aloah Adoa of the PPP, Journalist Francis Niagra Santuah on the ticket of PNC and Desmond Ayirevire for the CPP.In the newly created Bolgatanga East Constituency, the race for the seat is between NDC’s Mr. Dominic Ayine, a law lecturer, NPP’s Rockson Ayine Bukari, a former Municipal Chief Executive for the Bolgatanga and PNC’s David Apasera, a former MP for the Bolgatanga Central constituency as well as PPP’s Baba Starling. Mr. Emmanuel Opam-Brown Akolbire, NDC MP for Bolgatanga Central Constituency will face stiff challenge from NPP’s Dr. Gyesika A. Agambila, PPP’s Robert Anamolga, PNC’s Rockson Akugre and NDP’s Saeed Jafar Mohammed. The race for the Bongo Seat is between theincumbent MP, Albert Abongo for the NDC and four others, namely, Madam Diana Aburiya Asuure of the NPP, Mr. Jacob Nsoh of the PNC Peter Ayamga Akugre of the CPP and anindependent candidate Mr. Clement Ayorigo. Five terms MP for Talensi, Mr. John Akologu Tia of the NDC will face NPP’s Robert Nachinab Doaneng, Ramson Yinbil Babihitzaaya of the CPP, Dr. Micheal Wombeogo, PNC and Dominic Mogre, PPP.In the Nabdam constituency, another veteran parliamentarian, Mr. Moses Asaga of the NDC will becontested once again by former Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Boniface Gambila of the NPP. Othersin the race are Gabilemm Ditamina, PPP, David Kurug, PNC and William Atampugre, CPP. Majority Leaderin Parliament and NDC MP for the Zebilla Constituency, Mr. Cletus Apul Avoka will becontested by Mr. Frank Fuseini Adongo, NPP, Atang Naba, NDP, and anindependent candidate, Mallam Ali Yusuf Isa. Five people are vying for the Bawku Central Constituency. They are Deputy Education Minister, Mr. Mahama Ayagira, NDC, Former Deputy Managing Director of Metro TV, Alhassan Ayariga, NPP, Businessman Iddrisu Mubarak, PPP, Farmer Joseph Awini Auuga, PNC, and Teacher, Madam Zaliya Ibrahim the only female candidatein the constituency on the ticket of CPP.In the Binduri Constituency, the race for the seatin between Ben Noah Azure, NDC, Stephen M.D. Yakubu, theincumbent NPP MP, William Ayinga Abanga, PPP and Cyprian Azure Ayendago, PNC. For the Pusiga Constituency, the race is between Madam Laadi Ayii Ayamba, NDC, Imoro Sarko, NPP, and William Abako Abosa, PPP.Incumbent MP for Garu constituency, Mr. Dominic Azimbe Azumah of the NDC will becontested by former Regional Minister, Alhassan Samari, NPP, Dominic Ligadya Dinko, CPP and Seidu James Achel of the NDP.In the newly created Tempane, fourcontestants arein race for the sole ticketto represent the peoplein parliament. They are immediate past DCE for Garu-Tempane, David Adakurugu, NDC, Mr. Joseph Akudibillah, NPP, Samson Kangben Laar, PPP and Madam Akugri Laadi for the PNC.

DCE elect for Talensi District enlist support of assembly members and citizens

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Tongo The newly appointed District Chief Executive for the Talensi District in the Upper East Region, Mr. Edward Awunnore has promised to work with assembly members and the people in the area to explore the rich natural resources including the Tengzug Hills and other rich cultural heritages to accelerate development of the area. Mr Edward Awunnore who stands to be reappointed if the NDC is retains power in the December 7, 2012, prior to his endorsement was an English teacher of the Bolgatanga Technical School. He polled 21 votes representing 70 per cent with nine people voted against him at a confirmation exercise. The election became necessary following the split of the former Talensi-Nabdam District. The Awunnore expressed his appreciation to the President for nominating him for the job and also thanked the assembly members for overwhelmingly endorsing his candidature and the the confidence reposed in him. He pledged to work with all members of the assembly as well as the various decentraised departments to mobilize the needed revenue for the development of the area. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo who swore in the DCE elect admonished the new head of the assembly to build bridges of peace and run an open door administration to harness the strength of all members to fast track development in the area. He reaffirmed government commitment to pursue development it development agenda for the area stressing work on the road between Winkongo and Tongo, the district capital is been worked on while government is committed to ensuring the constructing of a multipurpose dam at the Pwalugu for irrigation, hydro-power generation and water transport. He urged assembly members to close their ranks and work with the new DCE to enable him achieve success in his new appointment. Apart from the Talensi District which have endorsed its DCE, the Pusiga District has also endorsed the president nominee, Mr. Abugbila Awuni Alhassan. The Nabdam district failed to endorse Mrs. Vivian Anafo after she failed to secure the requisite votes. Two other districts, Binduri and the Builsa South districts are yet to have its heads nominated by the President. benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh -End-

UE Security Taskforce strategies for elections 2012

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Heads of Security Agencies in the Upper East Region have pledged to collectively work in ensuring free, fair and violent-free elections in December. Briefing the Daily Graphic after an inaugural meeting of the Regional Election Security Taskforce, the Public Relations Office of the Ghana Police Service, Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP), Mr. Thomas Yaw Agbanyo said members of the Taskforce have resolved to exhibit a high sense of professional discipline and competence to ensure that the ongoing electioneering campaign and the general election are conducted peacefully. The task force is made up of heads of the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Prisons Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and the Customs Excise and Preventive Service, with the Regional Police Commander Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCOP), Mr. Bright Oduro as the chairman. According to ASP Agbanyo members of the taskforce have identified the various flashpoints in the region and resolve to beef up with strong security and patrol personnel. Again, he said enough logistics would be provided to the security to make sure that no one foments trouble anywhere in the region. ASP Agbanyo added that all the security agencies agreed at the meeting to release their vehicles on Election Day to ensure a smooth operation of the security agencies. He said the taskforce will be replicated in all municipalities and districts to demonstrate the readiness of the security agencies to deal with all elections related violence. ASP Agbanyo said present at the meeting was the Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr. Bruce Ayisi who inform the members that polls will take place in 1, 118 polling stations in the region and enlisted the support of the security agencies to make the process violent free. benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Navrongo Central Constituency, a rematch between Mark Woyongo and Joseph Kofi Adda

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga But for the timely clearance of the Progressive People’s Party, (PPP) candidate for the Navrongo Central parliamentary candidate, Mr. Crispin Avanakwa Awupuri by the Returning Officer of the Electoral Commission, it will have been a straight ‘fight’ for the seat between NDCs Mark Woyongo and NPPs Joseph Kofi Adda. At the close of filing of nominations on Thursday, 18 October 2012, only the three persons above were cleared to contest the 2012 parliamentary elections. A gentleman who appeared on the nick of time appeared at the offices of the EC attempting to file on the ticket of the PNC but the Returning Officer detected a flaw and hence rejected the documents. Under the current circumstances, on can describe the polls as a rematch between NDCs Mark Woyongo and NPPs Joseph Kofi Adda and it will not be far from wrong, albeit the presence of the PP candidate. In the last parliamentary elections, Messrs Woyongo and Adda together with PNCs Gabriel Pwamang and CPPs, Fotunate Anuga were entangled in the race for the seat. At the end of that contest, Mr. Kofi Adda polled 14, 354 representing 45.23 percent of votes cast as against, Mr. Woyongo’s 13, 224 represent 41. 67 per cent. The two gentlemen are in the race again and what makes it interesting is that the PNC which is not presenting a candidate for this year’s race is reported to have thrown its weight behind Mr. Mark Woyongo. In 2008, the PNC candidate, Mr. Gabriel Pwamang polled 4,026 votes. Assuming all these votes goes to add to that of what Mr. Woyongo obtained in 2008, it will add up to 18, 380. With this one can safely call it for Mr. Woyongo, who doubles as the current Regional Minister. But politics like a game of football is not east to predict. The NPP since the year 2000 have had a grip on the Navrongo constituency. In the 2000 elections, the late John Setuni Achuliwor contested on the NPP’s ticket and defeated the NDCs Clement T. Bugase by 143 votes. Achuliwor polled 11,246 while Bugase had 11,103 votes. The rest was shared between five other candidates who contested in that race. Following the death of John Setuni Achuliwor in 2003, Mr. Adda a MP. He won the by-election for the Navrongo Central constituency. In the 2004 elections, Adda retained his seat after he defeated NDCs Emmanuel Andema, the current Municipal Chief Executive for the Kassena-Nankana East. In that polls, Adda polled 12, 444 votes while Mr. Andema came a distant third with 6,201. Mr. Adda comes into this year’s race with a lot of experience likewise his contender who has also in the past three-and-half years have done so much for the region as a whole and the Kassena-Nankana East District. Mr. Adda after the he was elected was appointed the Minister for Manpower Development and Employment by President John Kufuor in 2005. On 28 April 2006, he was moved in a cabinet reshuffle to the position of Minister for Energy, a position held until the NPP was deposed in the 2008 elections. As a seating MP, Daily Graphic has learnt that he is constantly in touch with his constituents and he is reported to be a mingler who wouldn’t mind engaging the people in informal conversation anytime he visits. Mr. Woyongo is taking a second shot at the seat. His first attempt was in 2008 when right after retiring from public service grabbed the chance to contest. Observers believe he fared well and having had the opportunity as Regional Minister, his chances are far brighter than his previous attempt. The experience communicator that he is, the Upper East Regional Minister is bent on winning the seat for the N.D.C. As a regional minister, election watchers believe lobbying skills that has seen the Kassena-Nankana East District benefit from a number developmental projects in the constituency be it educational infrastructure, health facilities, access to water and electricity but as to whether that will sway votes into his favor is something that we all await to see. Mr. Woyongo trained as a journalist and for a long time worked as the Upper East Regional Information Officer. He also worked as a press attaché in UK. He returned to Ghana, worked with the Information Services Department rising through the ranks until he retired as a Director in charge of Finance and Administration. He is the 25th regional minister to serve in the Upper East region in that capacity since the creation of the region on July 1, 1960. In 2008 when he was appointed in 2008, I asked him what he brings to the table as a Regional Minister. His response was that “My vision is to ensure that there is peace, unity and development. Without peace and unity there cannot be any meaningful development,” He came in at a time when the Bawku crisis was at it peak. Thankfully the situation in Bawku in particular and the region in general is better than it was before. As a Regional Minister, he enjoys so much commendation for lobbying development projects to the region but as to whether his achievements as Regional Minister will reflect in votes at the ballot in his constituncy is something we all wait to see. Mr. Adda on the other hand is a Financial Economist and a Management Consultant. He worked as an Executive officer at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana in 1979. Between 1983 and 1984, he worked as a Research Analyst intern at the Third World Trade Institute, New York, USA. He was also an account Executive and Management trainee at the Equitable Financial Service, Inc., in New Jersey, USA. Mr. Adda has also worked at Essex County College, Newark, New Jersey, USA (1986 – 1988), Thomson McKinnon Securities Inc., New York (1989 – 1991) and with Deloitte and Touche Consulting, (West Africa), Accra (1991 – 1994). Since 1994, Joseph Adda has been the Director of Omni Consulting International (Ghana) Ltd. Between 1996 and 2000, he worked in various capacities at the Ministry of Finance, Ghana. Incidentally both front runners in the Navrongo Central Constituency are former students of the Notre Dame Minor Seminary School High School.The question is can Woyongo end the dorminance of NPP in the Navrongo central constituncy? The answer will be known after December 7, 2012. benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh