WVI to support Bongo Hospital with new anesthetic machine.

WVI to support Bongo Hospital with new anesthetic machine. Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga World Vision International's (WVI) has promised to assist the Bongo District Hospital to rebuild the surgical theater which got burnt earlier this year. The Operation Based Team Leader of WVI in charge of Upper East Region, Mrs. Benedicta Pealore disclosed this at the annual regional health sector performance review meeting of the Upper East Region at Bolgatanga. WVI as an NGO have worked for so long in the Bongo District. It recently contributed towards the supply of anesthetic equipment to the hospital but which unfortunately was among items destroyed in the January 26, 2013 inferno. According Mrs. Pealore unfortunate as the incidence was, WVI is committed to contribute in the work of the health service to deliver quality health care services to the people in the district. She said WVI is a child focus organization that is committed to the well being of children and their families adding that it seeks to work in partnership with agencies like the Ghana Heath Service to improve health of the people within its operational area. In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. William Gudu said eight days after the inferno, the hospital management put a temporary mini theater in a room within the dental unit to ensure the continuous surgical services at the hospital. He said with the help of the regional health directorate which support with some surgical equipment, as well as an old anesthetic machine which was brought in from Sandema, surgical services resumed at the facility. He however noted that the improvised operating theater is not spacious enough to accommodate more staff in the min theater to assist in carrying procedures. Dr Gudu said the hospital will welcome any assistance for the construction of a new surgical theater to handle the cases that are reported at the facility. -End-

UE Regional Health Directorate gets new Training Centre

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga. THE Upper East Regional Health Directorate has constructed a Regional in-service training and conference as apart of the directorates effort are promoting training of staff and also serve as a centre where health workers could constantly meet in a conducive atmosphere to take stock of their activities and chart a cause that would enhance their work. The multi-purpose conference centre has a main hall that can seat 180 person There is also additional meeting hall capable of seating 60 persons, two syndication rooms, a library and an ICT lab and a canteen. The centre has a standby generator and a spacious car. A number of sunmmer huts and accommodation facility will also be provided in the future to complement conference hosting services. A dedicated electricity transformer is also to be provided to ensure interrupted power supply. Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. John Koku Awoonor-Williams noted that despite the the challenges, the service was glad to have achieve the dream. "It's been a long road to this point especially when funding for this entire project did not come from government allocated budget neither from the Ghana Health Service, but through our own initiatives and innovations."He said. He commended the seed capital contribution of BMCs in realizing the dream. According o him, each hospital in the region contributed GH c 10,000, while each DHMTs contributed GH c 5,000. In addition, health training institutions in the region and the Navrongo Health Research Centre also contributed GH c 3,000. Dr. Awoonor-Williams also expressed appreciation to the World Vision who voluntarily donated GH c 5,000 toward the project. Dr. Awoonor-Williams also commended the Ministers of Health from the era of Dr. Benjamin Kumbour, through to Mr. Joseph Yile-Chreh and Mr. Kingsford K. Babgin who ensured the release of funds towards furnishing of the centre as well as Dr Elias Sory, a former Director General of the GHS who supported all proposals and requests to the Ministry of Health. He said he new facility would not only go a long way to promote training of staff and convenient venue for conference but will also be opened to the public as a way of raising funds to sustain and support community based health services, renovation of CHPS compounds, and other sub-district activities. He commended the past estate officer of the GHS in the region, Mr. Emmanuel Yaminge for his hard work and dedication towards the realization of the project as well as one Mr Gbekor of the AESL who supported the GHS pro bono towards the construction of the building. A former Director General of the GHS, Dr Elias Sory commended the regional director of health services for his vision and hard work which has resulted in the realization of the vision. The Chairman of the Regional Health Committee, Mr. Robert Ajene also commended the regional director of health services for his foresight and said the legacy left during his stay in the region is worth emulating. -End-

Dr advocate improvement in sanitation and better hygiene practices

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr John Koku Awoonor-Williams has advocated improvement in social matters such as sanitation and better hygiene practice to prevent epidemics such as cholera. The Upper East Region in the year 2012 recorded 167 cases of cholera with three deaths. The last time the region experienced a cholera outbreak was 2006 where 19 cases were recorded with one death. Speaking at the annual regional health sector performance review meeting for 2012 in Bolgatanga, Dr. Awoonor-Williams said the situation is a real test of the poor environmental and food hygiene practices as index cases were traced to water and food sources. "We need to improve our sanitation."He stressed. Presenting a detailed report for the health sector in the region for the years 2012, Dr Awoonor-Williams said the region witnessed a reduction trend of under-five mortality rates since 2006. This reduction, he said could be explained by early diagnosis and treatment, improved care, equipment and diagnostics, training, staff commitment among others. Dr Awoonor-Williams noted that the attainment of MDG 4 will require that health workers focus on neonatal care to reduce preventable deaths from birth asphyxia, prematurity and neonatal sepsis. He said steps are already being taken and with the support of UNICEF, two neonatal intensive care units will be established alongside on-going trainings being conducted on neonatal and newborn care. The Regional Director of Health Services said functional CHPS zones increased from 87 in 2008 to 177 in 2012 representing 86 per cent increase over a 4 year period due to the determined efforts and focus to reach the larger populations and address geographical access disparities. He said the region in 2012 saw significant improvement in Community Health Officers contribution to total health service delivery. "The engagement, contribution and active collaboration with municipal/district assemblies are significant. We continue to acknowledge MDAs support in health infrastructure construction notably CHPS compounds, expansion of existing facilities, staff accommodation and office space."He said. Dr Awoonor-Williams said in spite of the modest gains chalked by the region, human resource availability continue to be major headache of the healthcare delivery system in the region. He disclosed that all nine doctors posted to the region in 2012 failed to report while one doctor vacated post. He said additionally, a total of 42 health professionals were posted out of the region in compliance with Ghana Health Service new staff placement with regards to nurses and midwives. On the contrary, he said only four staff were posted to the region from headquarters in return. "This is a flawed policy. We will continue initiatives to help attract and retain staff in the region including the three year minimum bond years for staff, that is nurses and midwives, graduating from health training schools in the region."He said. A former Director General of the Ghana Heath Service, Dr Elias Sory commended the Upper East Regional Director of Health Services for initiatives taken to improve on health services in the region. He particularly commended Dr Awoonor-Williams for supervising the construction of an in-service training and conference centre through his own initiative and innovative ways of fund raising and said such structure will go a long way to contribute towards staff training. On Hunan Resources , Dr Sory said the rules of engagement in the sector must be redefined stressing that Government and health workers will have to sit together and discuss how best to redress the problem. He advocated the decentralization of recruitment so that the regions can have control of resources meant for recruitment of personnel. Dr Agana Nsiire, National Programme Manager for Yaws who represented the Director General of the GHS. Dr. Appiah Denkyira said the vision of the service was that at a certain point in the future, there should be total and accessible health services delivery for everyone. Again, thee should be no childhood and maternal death and challenged staff of the service to contribute to achieving that vision. He also tasked them to move away from the top-down approach stressing that instead of relaying in top hierarchy for directives, each staff irrespective of where he or she finds him or herself should consider him or self asequally important person on the same plane who can effect change. -END-

“Delay in funds reimbursement affecting NHIS” Private Health Providers in UE cry out

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Delays in the reimbursement of funds by the National Health Insurance Authorities have been identified as one of the major challenges facing health services delivery in the Upper East Region. The Association of Private Health Care Providers (APHCP) in the region has stated that if by February 28, 2013 the National Health Insurance Authority is still unable to meet its financial obligation of reimbursing facilities, they may resort to cash and carry to meet the cost of operation. The Regional Secretary of the APHCP, Mr Frank Fuseini who disclosed this at a meeting in Bolgatanga hitherto, the delays in NHIS reimbursement was usually between two to four months on the average. However, the current situation is over six months for most of the facilities in the region especially for those under the Bawku and Bolgatanga Mutual Health Insurance Scheme. “As we speak, these two schemes have been paid up to the middle of August 2012.” Mr Fuseini said with these developments, providers are faced with numerous challenges with regards to health service delivery in the region. This includes non-payment of salaries to workers and lack of essential drugs. “Most facilities have not been able to pay workers for between two to three months which is weakening the morale of workers. Again most essential drugs including ACTs cannot be purchased thereby making health delivery very difficult” he said adding that since private facilities are not allowed to buy drugs from the regional medical stores, they are forced to rely on the major pharmaceutical companies. “Due to the delays in the reimbursement for the NHIS, these business partners can no longer supply our facilities with drugs because of debt accumulation.” He said. He said if the situation persists, health service delivery in the region will be seriously hampered if stringent measures are not taken by all major stakeholders in the health sector in the region to ameliorate the situation. “The association strongly believes that this essential service will ground to a halt if these delays persist for another two weeks, since 45 per cent of clients in the region rely in the private sector for their service. “He added. In a response, Mr. Roger Ayine Aposs, the Upper East Regional Manager of NHIA if the health acknowledged the challenges faced by the private service providers but gave the assurance that monies owed then will be paid by next week. “The situation has arisen because as we all know; government is the sole provider of resources to the NHIA and is faced with competing needs from the other sectors of the economy and because of that it is only when there is enough funding that health insurance is provided with resources needed to pay you. All the same we have initiated certain strategies to pay you and ensure that sure delays do not recur.”He said. -End- benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Let's avoid such acts

Story and Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover In this photo taken on Monday February 11, 2013, a passenger sits on a package not a seat placed in the aisle of a moving O&A passenger bus traveling from Kumasi to Tamale, a distance of about 378 kilometers. Despite the fact that the bus was full, managers of the station found it prudent to overload the vehicle much against protestation from some of the passengers. Overloading has been identified as one of the major acts of indiscipline by drivers on our roads. Yet still, transport owners and drivers continue to carry out this appalling act. The man seated there joined an O&A bus with registration number AE 1309 - 12 at the Kumasi terminal. It is a known fact that an overloaded vehicle poses serious dangers to drivers and other road users. Overloaded vehicles are dangerous because they require longer distances to brake before coming to a stop. Again, they generate high centrifugal forces in corners and shifting loads or loss of tyre grip becomes an instant safety risk Overloading reduces tyre life, which increases the risk of blow-outs and reduces the driver’s control over the vehicle, escalating the chances for an accident. If Ghana is to win the war against indiscipline on our roads and needless deaths, such bad attitude such as overloading must be discouraged. -end-

Navrongo Market fire.....traders appeal for support.

Traders appeal for support Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Navrongo The Kassena-Nankana East Municipal Assembly(KNED) and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) are currently in the process of compiling a list of all the affected traders in last Sunday's late afternoon inferno that engulfed parts of the Navrongo Market. When the Daily Graphic visited the market on Monday morning, the Municipal NADMO Coordinator, Mr Roland Ayalazoya and staff of NADMO and the assembly where on hand to compile the data for onward submission to the assembly as well as the regional office of NADMO for the necessary assistance to be extended to those who lost their wares and investments in the flames. He told the Daily Graphic that initial reports indicated that the cause of the fire was as a result of incense which was dropped on a polythene bag containing explosives in one of the container stores while another version had it that a woman was using a gas cooker to cook which resulted to the fire. He said one trader, who sustained burns was on admission at the War Memorial Hospital receiving treatment. One of the victims, who gave her name as Hajia Ramatu said she had lost her provisions shop, causing her to lose over GHC 6,000 of her working capital. She expressed the hope that help will be extended to them to get their businesses back on track. Another told this reporter that while the fire was razing, some young men where also present looting products of traders. The Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Emmanuel Andema said after the assessment, the assembly will reconsider how to reconstruct the market. He said he has been in touch with the MP for the area, Mr Mark Woyongo who has requested for a report on the incidence to see what form of assistance can be extended to the traders. Responding to issues about congestion which make it difficult for fire tenders and fire service personnel to gain access to the market to quench the fire, Mr. Andema said several attempts to eject the traders and re-locate them from the old market which got burnt to the new market has been fruitless. He said the traders complained that the new market center which has been earmarked for them is water logged and they cannot be assured of the health implication of it. He said the assembly took pains to re-gravel the place yet the traders are adamant to move. He however commended the personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service for the swift and quick response to contain the fire. The Municipal Fire Officer, DO II Peter Akansare said besides the difficulty in getting access to the market, fire hydrants to replenish the tenders were not easily accessible. He said they initially went to Doba to fill due to a power outage so they had to go to Tono to replenish. He reiterated that investigations were ongoing to determine the real cause of the fire -END-

Bolga Ghatel ladies thrashed 4-0 by Fabulous Ladies

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Fabulous Ladies posted a 4-0 win at the Bolgatanga Stadium against home side, Bolga Ghatel Ladies in the ongoing National Women's League in the Northern Sector. A brace from Agnes Aduako in the 41st and 87th minute and one goal each from Florence Adutwumwaa (14th minutes) and Priscilla Okyere in the 60th Minute sealed the victory for the Ashanti Region side who came into the game, mentally and physically well psyched up for the match. Amid huge expectations from the home fans that Bolga Ghatel Ladies will at least secure a draw, the defeat came as no surprise as keen observers realized that the host players were immensely disadvantaged because in between matches, they lack training together due to the fact that most of the players are in school preparing for the examinations while the Kumasi team had the benefit of training together, something that was evident in their superior fitness and athletic poise. Officials of Bolga Ghatel ladies later in an interview appealed to corporate bodies and philanthropists to come to the aid of the team by contributing resources to the team to prop the girls up and motivate them to give off their best. -end-

Traditional ruler pledges to partner district assembly assembly and government to fast-track development

raditional ruler pledges to partner district assembly assembly and government to fast-track development. Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Kpikpira. The newly enskinned chief of the Bimobas in the Upper East Region, Dana Dazuur II have pledged to rally his people to partner with the Garu-Tempane district assembly and central government to mobilize enough human and material resources to develop their area. "My people and I are prepared for conscription into any government scheme or policy that has the potential of fighting the dangerous trio of poverty, disease and ignorance. We shall support initiatives and pragmatic policies that will eventually see off poverty in a grand style." Dana Dazuur II said. The chief made the pledged the 10th annual Danjuar festival of the chiefs and people of Bimoba in the Upper East Region, which was also used to outdoor Dana Dazuur II, as the Chief of Kpikpira of the Garu-Tempane district. Kpikpira, a farming community located at the eastern part of Garu in the Garu-Tempane .The Danjuar festival is celebrated annually to remember the sacrifices of the ancestors, thank God for a successful farming season and to seek divine intervention for better years ahead. The theme for this year’s celebration is on the theme: “Using festivals to promote Peace, Unity and Development, the role of Danjuar.” Addressing his people, Dana Dazuur noted that the absence of a chief for the past ten years has affected the development, progress and unity of not only Kpikpira but the entire Bimoba communities. While expressing his appreciation to to the Paramount Chief of Bawku, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, for enskinning him, he said: "a new era has been born and an aura of freshness, renewed vigor and commitment to unity and development have become nin-negotiable" He said Bimoba communities lack basic amenities such as good roads, potable water, school infrastructures and quality health centre and renewed the appeal of the people for the construction of dugouts and dams within the catchment area with the sole aim of promoting all year farming activities which will eventually reduce poverty and put money in the pockets of the people. He also called on the Ghana Health Service to upgrade the Kpikpira and Kongo communities CHPS compounds into clinics to help address the increasing health needs of the people. While calling on government to make subsidized fertilizer available to farmers, Dana Dazuur vowed to work closely with the security agencies to halt any attempt by unscrupulous persons who engage in smuggling of the product to neighboring Togo. Dana Dazuur also stressed the need for the construction of more school blocks to accommodate pupils in many communities in the traditional area where classes are held under tress and badly constructed rural buildings. The Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area and President of the Bawku Traditional Council, Naba Asigri Abugrago II in message delivered on his behalf assured the new chief of the Council’s support to promote peace, unity and development. He also tasked the new chief to use his skin to promote traditions and culture of the Kusaug community. The Assembly man for Kpikpira and an opinion leader, Lawyer Joseph Kpemka Dindiock encouraged the chief to serve his people with love, respect and humility and help foster peace, harmony and development in the district. He also admonished the people of Kpikpira to give their chief the needed support and co-operation in order to make his reign a remarkable one. The Chairman of the Bimoba Union, Sgt. Yara Konyinmir in a speech delivered by Mr John Sibit disclosed that as a result of the tremendous financial aid received from the MP for Garu-Tempane constituency and the outgoing District Chief Executive and other contributors, a Girl Child Education fund has been established through which the union has been able to sponsor more than 25 girls who are now in second cycle institution. He encourage all sons of Bimoba both home and abroad to commit more resources toward the development of the human capital of the area. End

Fire guts Navrongo market

Property worth millions of cedis has been lost in Fire that gutted part of the Navrongo market. The fire destroyed some property but no casualty was recorded except for an injury to one woman who was admitted at the hospital. The cause of the fire is not immediately known, but preliminary investigation have revealed that an incense lit in one shop which later fell on a plastic bag ignited the flame and spread to other parts of the market leading to the destruction of over 30 market shops and stalls. Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga It took the fire service over an hour and half to deal with the situation. The Kassena-Nankana East Municipal Fire Officer, DO II, Peter Akansare told the Daily Graphic that two fire engines from Bolgatanga and another one from Sandema were called in to complement the fire tender in Navrongo to douse the flame. He said the fire started at about 3:30 pm on Sunday afternoon, adding that although firemen are yet to conduct investigations into the cause of the fire, initial reports from the scene points to explosions. The Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Emmanuel Andema who visited the scene told the Daily Graphic that initially the fire was linked to a gas cylinder explosion but later, a victim, a lady who got injured in the incident said she saw an incense lit in one of the shop which later fell on a plastic bag. Later some explosions were heard after which the some parts of the market was engulfed in flames. He reiterated that a full investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the fire -end-

Danjuar Festival was grand

story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Kpikpira This year’s Danjuar festival of the Bimobas has been hailed as one of the most grandiose traditional events to be witnessed in the Kpikpira community of the Upper East Region in recent years. Kpikpira, is a farming community located at the eastern part of Garu in the Garu-Tempane District of the Region. The people celebrate the Danjuar festival annually to remember the sacrifices of the ancestors, thank God for a successful farming season and to seek divine intervention for better years ahead For the past ten years, the town has been without a chief and this certainly has affected the development, progress and unity of not only Kpikpira but the entire Bimoba Community. The celebration this year was however different. Following the enskinning of Dana Dazuur II by the Paramount chief of Bawku, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, the Danjuar festival this time round attracted sons and daughters people from various parts if the country and others from neighboring countries to revel in the rich culture of the Bimobas. The week-long festival was climaxed at the weekend with a durbar of Chiefs at Kpikpira. The newly enskinned Chief, Dana Dazuur II and his retinue of elders, meandered their way to the durbar grounds ushered in by various cultural troupes all demonstrating the rich culture of the Bimobas. Aside the numerous traditional songs and dances, Bimobas who have composed songs on compact disks were also offered the opportunity to perform and market thief product all in line of preserving the heritage of the people. Revelers adorned in varied designed smock also sampled local dishes and drinks, including "pito", a traditional brew which was in abundance. They also partook actively in perhaps, what was the most interesting dance, the vigorous waist wriggling dance which both male and female present at the festival took part in. The theme for this year’s Danjuar festival was on the theme: “Using festivals to promote Peace, Unity and Development, the role of Danjuar, " and in line with that the newly enskinned chef announced that he is more than ever before with the help of God and the ancestors of the land organize and galvanize the human and material resources their disposal to ensure accelerated development. " I will organize durbars and fora to educate the people on the need to send their children, especially the girl-child to school. Also health and other related matters shall be prioritized to ensure that the people live healthy life styles and in a clean environment." The Chief, a staff of National Security said. The Paramount Chief of Bawku, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, who was represented by a delegation made up of the Chief of Tilli and Chief of Tempane admonished the new chief and his elders to preserve the culture of Kusuag by discouraging the use of "foreign songs" at festivals and funerals but rather promote local compositions and dirges which identify the people and project who they really are. The Upper East Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, Mr Fuzzy Kombat urged the Bimoba Union to launch a cultural recovery programme to rejuvenate all extinct traditional festivals and other endangered ones." These include ; our music, dance and instrumentation, that is Gunguann' Saakpeta, Biok, Lonni, Konbena, Kontarr, Bitsangaani, Jok, Tiani. While endorsing the need to preserve the good cultural heritage, Mr. Kombat also appealed to the chiefs and leaders to remodify the negative ones such as elopement, forced marriages, juvenile or teenage marriageable, tribal marks and scarification and other tattooing stressing that these must be discarded with the advent of HIV and AIDS. "We should be mindful of out negative cultural practices that will destroy our homes, families and communities as witchcraft, widow inheritance, land litigation, forced marriages, tribal marks/scarification and elopements," he said. He also advocated for the need to promote Bimoba traditional games and recreational actives such as archery, wrestling, hand clapping games, Sakpeta, story telling sessions, Kruye-Kruye(stone passing game) amongst others. He stressed that all these go to demonstrate that the Bimobas have a rich cultural heritage which must explored and fully exploited for the development of their communities for the benefit of the people and generations unborn. An opinion leader, Lawyer Joseph Kpemka Dindiock pledged to rally the people behind the newly enskinned chief to accelerated development of the area and preserve the rich heritage of Bimobas. -end- Writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Shortage of ARV, test kits hold back HIV treatment and testing (D/G Tuesday Feb 26,2013)

Story : Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Stakeholders in the Upper East Region have urged the government to notch up efforts at ensuring consistent, secure and affordable supply of medical commodities to boost HIV testing and treatment. The call came in the wake of a remark by Mr Samuel Angyogdem, Upper East Regional HIV and AIDS Focal Person, that recent shortage of HIV testing kits, ARV and other logistics was hindering efforts at redoubling HIV prevention and treatment in the region. Mr Angyogdem who was speaking at a Regional Dissemination of the Revised National HIV and AIDS, STI Policy in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region said as a result of the shortage, the region is concentrating its efforts on the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, hence persons who walk into facilities are know their status are sometimes unable to access the service. Accessing HIV testing as soon as possible enables people living with HIV to start antiretroviral treatment early, enabling them to live long healthy lives, and importantly to reduce the risk of them transmitting the virus to other people. The current stock of test kits available according is provided by the Global Fund which dictates that it must be used for pregnant women and key population, hence if the general public want to know their status, then it behaves government to provide the logistics needed for the national response to HIV. Responding to the issue, Dr Joseph Amuzu, Director, Policy & Planning, Ghana AIDS Commission(GAC), said the commission is working around the clock to some test kits for civil society organizations and other agencies for use. He however reiterated the need for Government of Ghana to fulfill it's commitment of the GH c 150m to support the national HIV response until 2015, adding that the release of funds must be predictable and timely be it quarterly or half yearly. He said other Ministries, Departments and Agencies should also budget for HIV in their regular budgets, while the 0.5 per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund(DACF) allocated for the district HIV response should be increased to 1 per cent and made mandatory and deductible from source. He disclosed that the GAC is developing a Resource Mobilization Strategy(RMS) where it is hoped that the strategy if accepted and implemented will identify numerous sources of funding for HIV such as from the private sector, contributions from the lottery, contribution from philanthropists, faith-based organizations and from the general public. "The RMS will suggest tax on airline tickets, contributions from telcos through a small tax on all calls and sms etc." He said adding that another potential source of resources will be from the accumulation of the pennies(pesewas) on top of worker salaries which will be paid into a special fund for HIV. He however emphasized that very important though will be for the government to apply for a grant from the World Bank, Africa Development Bank or any other financial institutions, be it locally of at the international level to co-fund HIV. "Eventually, all these resources should be used to establish an HIV Fund which should be managed independently from Government to support HIV." He said Dr Amuzu added that Ghana needs to support and facilitate local production of ARVs through partnerships between the public and private sector via massive investment on the part of government through soft loans to these Pharmaceutical companies or a public private partnerships. The Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Angela El-Adas in a speech read on her behalf said the National HIV & AIDS, STI Policy is a document that provides the enabling environment to support the implementation of the National Strategic Plan (NSP 2011-2015) to achieve its expected outcomes and outputs. She said the importance of the National HIV&AIDS, STI Policy is that it provides guidance to other HIV-related policies, interventions, and programme design and implementation in Ghana. " If implemented effectively, the policy will help to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS, STI-related morbidity and mortality in the country in the interest of public health, safety, and human security." She noted. Dr Fred Nana Poku, Technical Manager, (GAC), said the objective of the new policy was to halt and reverse the incidence of new infections with an ultimate aim to achieve zero new infections, eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and reduce HIV associated morbidity and mortality to ensure the continued survival of men, women and children who were infected with the virus among others. -end- Writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Transport operators increase fares following fuel price hikes(DG Monday Feb 18, 2013 Page 3)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga PASSENGERS in the Upper East Regional Capital, Bolgatanga have criticized the rise in fuel prices and the subsequent increase fares. From Bolgatanga to Navrongo, Taxi fares have gone up by 50 Gp. Drivers are now charging GH c 3, from the previous GH c 2.50. Commuters to Paga from Bolgatanga are paying GH c 4 from the old GH c 3.50 . At the Bolgatanga to Tamale station, the officer in charge, Mr. John Abulbire, popularly known as 'Capito' said they were retaining the old price of GH c 6 until new fares are announced on Monday by union executives. The fare to Bolgatanga to Bawku has shot up to GH c 4 from GH c 3 while taxi plying Bolgatanga taxi rank to the regional hospital on sunday were charging 80 pesewas up from 60 pesewas, although a driver said they were awaiting approved fares by the union on Monday morning. Long hauls travel operators such as O.A Travel and Tours and the Metro Mass Transport said they were yet to announced new far. Messrs Patrick Mensah and Paul Agyei of O.A Travel and Tours and the Metro Mass Transport respectively in an interview said until managements of the two separates organization meet to arrive at new fares, their old prices remains in force. O.A Travel and Tours charges GH c 35 (ordinary) and GH c 50 (executive) to Accra while Metro Mass Transport fares to Tamale, Kumasi, and Accra remains GH c 6, GH c 18 and GH c 25 respectively. Hovever some commenters who spoke to the DAILY GRAPHIC said they were unhappy at the hike in fares. "Many people rely entirely on public transport to get around. Big increases in fares will be a massive blow, particularly to those who commute to and from work.”said Amadu Abdulai, a commuter heading to Bawku from Bolgatanga . The Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, Mr Godfried Abugbire in an interview said executives will be meeting to arrive at approved fares in order to bring to rest the friction between drivers and passengers. End

MTN FA CUP: Zebilla Toende United progress to Round of 32

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Zebilla Toende United secured a ticket to the next round of the MTN FA Cup match at the expense of Zuarungu Scientific Soccer Revolutionaries, a Division Two side. Toende United, who plays in the Division one league posted a 2-1 win over their colleagues from the Upper East region in the round of 64 matches played on Saturday at the Bolgatanga Sports Stadium. Moro Wahad put Toende United in the lead on the 64th minute but six minutes later, Semonno Crispin pulled level for Zuarungu Scientific Soccer Revolutionaries. With the game heading for a draw in regulation time,Toende United earned a penalty minutes before the stroke of full time after striker Mallam Ahmed was fouled in the 18 yard box and was awarded a penalty kick. Mallam Ahmed elected himself and the resultant kick from the spot ensured the Zebilla Team progressed to the round of 32 of the MTN FA CUP. -END-

Vea shooting incidence: Police conduct identification parade

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga. The Upper East Regional Police Command is holding in their custody a personnel of the service in the case of the recent shooting incident at Vea in the Bongo district that led to the death of one protester, Mr Gideon Aniah, a final year university student. The detained policeman, whose name was not provided was identified by some inhabitants during an identification parade conducted by the police as part of the ongoing investigations into the death of the young man. The Deputy Upper East Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, (A.C.P), Mr. Peter Gyinae said the police is committed to investigating the matter to unravel the death of the young man. It would be recalled that some police personnel dispatched to Vea in the wake of a disagreements between some young persons and the contractor working on the renovation of the Vea dam allegedly shot dead one of the protestors. The youth were protesting against contractor from blasting a rock which they claim represented shrine and a god in the community. The death of the young man triggered a call from the family of the deceased for investigations into the matter to reveal the identity of the police officer who shot at the victim, a call the police obliged with a promise to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. -End-

“Delay in funds reimbursement affecting NHIS” Private Health Providers in UE cry out

“Delay in funds reimbursement affecting NHIS” Private Health Providers in UE cry out Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Delays in the reimbursement of funds by the National Health Insurance Authorities have been identified as one of the major challenges facing health services delivery in the Upper East Region. The Association of Private Health Care Providers (APHCP) in the region has stated that if by February 28, 2013 the National Health Insurance Authority is still unable to meet its financial obligation of reimbursing facilities, they may resort to cash and carry to meet the cost of operation. The Regional Secretary of the APHCP, Mr Frank Fuseini who disclosed this at a meeting in Bolgatanga hitherto, the delays in NHIS reimbursement was usually between two to four months on the average. However, the current situation is over six months for most of the facilities in the region especially for those under the Bawku and Bolgatanga Mutual Health Insurance Scheme. “As we speak, these two schemes have been paid up to the middle of August 2012.” Mr Fuseini said with these developments, providers are faced with numerous challenges with regards to health service delivery in the region. This includes non-payment of salaries to workers and lack of essential drugs. “Most facilities have not been able to pay workers for between two to three months which is weakening the morale of workers. Again most essential drugs including ACTs cannot be purchased thereby making health delivery very difficult” he said adding that since private facilities are not allowed to buy drugs from the regional medical stores, they are forced to rely on the major pharmaceutical companies. “Due to the delays in the reimbursement for the NHIS, these business partners can no longer supply our facilities with drugs because of debt accumulation.” He said. He said if the situation persists, health service delivery in the region will be seriously hampered if stringent measures are not taken by all major stakeholders in the health sector in the region to ameliorate the situation. “The association strongly believes that this essential service will ground to a halt if these delays persist for another two weeks, since 45 per cent of clients in the region rely in the private sector for their service. “He added. In a response, Mr. Roger Ayine Aposs, the Upper East Regional Manager of NHIA if the health acknowledged the challenges faced by the private service providers but gave the assurance that monies owed then will be paid by next week. “The situation has arisen because as we all know; government is the sole provider of resources to the NHIA and is faced with competing needs from the other sectors of the economy and because of that it is only when there is enough funding that health insurance is provided with resources needed to pay you. All the same we have initiated certain strategies to pay you and ensure that sure delays do not recur.”He said. -End- benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Bawku witnesses developments in spite of security challenges

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bawku Mention the name Bawku and most people in Ghana will probably linked it to violence and a no go area. Yes, Bawku has in the past years had its fair share of tribal conflicts but gradually the municipality is shedding off those bad image and stereotyping and itching closely towards embracing total peace that will further fast-track development of the once vibrant commercial town and its people. The past four years and even beyond has seen the municipality witnessed some developments and contributed impacting positively on the livelihood of the people. Courtesy the relative peace prevailing in the area after several months of violent conflict in municipality in the past months, and the commitment of those put in charge to supervise the implementation and roll out of government plans and policies, witnessing some gains in terms of developments projects, even though more remains to be done. From the year 2009 to date, the Bawku Municipal Assembly under the leadership of Mr. Musa Abdulai has awarded several projects in the municipality spanning the sectors of education, Health, Water and Sanitation, Electricity and Agriculture. On the educational front, the District Assembly and its development partners constructed and rehabilitated 26 school buildings at the basic level across the municipality. The assembly with support from the GETFund has Construction of 6-Unit Classroom Block with Staff Common Room, an Office, a Store as well as supply of furniture for schools such as Lalsa Primary School, Bugzunde Primary School, Zuli Primary School, Tampizua Primary School, Wiidi Primary School, Winamzua Primary School, Daduri Primary School, Suweidiya Primary School, Sabon-Zongo Primary School, and Kpalwega Primary School among several others. Others schools such as Sunguure Primary School, Zuuku Primary School, Baribari Primary School and Zabugu Kindergarten School among others in the Municipality have benefitted from the construction of 3-unit classroom block with an office and a store. Senior High Schools in the Municipality have also not been left out in the provision of development projects. During the period under review, Bawku Senior High School for instance benefited from the following projects; six-unit classroom block, two six -unit staff flat, supply of twenty computers and accessories through GIFEC, one Mahindra Pick-Up for school administration and a borehole to ease challenges of accessing water. The Bawku Senior High Technical School on its part saw the following projects carried out under the review period. They include; the renovation of two staff quarters, construction of 12-Unit classroom block, construction of 6-unit classroom block, construction of administration block/library complex construction of a boys dormitory block, construction of a girls dormitory block. The contract for the construction of two bedroom 6-unit storey building staff flat was awarded. Bawku Technical Institute was also not left out in the developments efforts of the assembly. The school for instances had the following projects planted on its campus. Rehabilitation of a three-storey boys dormitory, construction of a three -storey girls dormitory, construction of library complex and ICT centre, construction of 2 storey boys dormitory and the supply of tools and equipments for all the twelve courses run in the school. “We as an assembly cherish the value of education. We believe it holds the key to developing the human resource base of our municipality, hence our readiness and commitment to provide the needed infrastructure to make attain our vision”, Mr Abdulai said. The Assembly had also distributed sports kits, computers school uniforms, furniture and exercise books to a number of schools. Apart from the few schools that were benefiting from the school feeding programme, the assembly had between 2009 to date increased the beneficiaries to 28 thereby encouraging an increase in enrolment of school children and giving jobs to caterers. In the area of health, the assembly with funding support from the District Assemblies Common Fund, Community Based Rural Development Programme, the Japanese Embassy, the District Wide Assistant Programme, the District Development Fund delivered a number of health projects. They include the rehabilitation of health centre for Bawku West Urban Centre, the construction of rural clinic at Bugri corner, construction of rural clinic at Tinsungu, construction of CHPS centre compound at Gentiga no. 2, construction of clinic at Baribari and construction of CHPS at Gentiga In the area of roads, the assembly has within the past four years carried out spot improvement of the Manga-Yuri-Kpereyega road, sport improvement of Mognori-Gentiga road, spot improvement of low cost-Wiidi feeder road and constructed the of access road to rural clinic. The four years have also witnessed the Municipal Assembly proving over 54 locations in the municipality with boreholes making easy for the inhabitants to access water, while a number of communities such as Nyourigu, Nyuorig-Natinga,Tinsungu, Gingande, Sabon-Gari, Bador, Bugri corner, Zulli, Sabugu, Baribari, Bawkzua and Zougon to the national grid. Mr. Abdulai who was inherited a turbulent municipality, attributed the successes of the assembly to the prevailing peace currently being enjoyed in the municipality and appealed to the chiefs and people to rally behind the assembly in its efforts restore Bawku to its former glory as a leading economic centre in the northern part of Ghana. Yes, Bawku may have gone through a turbulent past but credit must be given to security agencies and all other stakeholders for sacrificing their lives and time towards maintain the peace in the area. The town is noted for its commercial activities and to now many people travel to that parts of the country en-route to Togo and Burkina Faso even to Niger to trade, government is hereby encourage the fast-tract the rehabilitation of the Bolgatanga Bawku highway to ease the travel burden of commuter. It that is done and the roadmap for peace for Bawku is fully implemented. The ultimate beneficiary will be central government since it will spend less money enforcing peace in the area. -end- Writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Pothole infested road over white Volta, a major threat

Pothole infested road over White Volta River causing a nuisance Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover Commuters using the huge bridge over the White Volta River at Buipe in the Northern Region have expressed concern at the series of potholes formed on the stretch and have appealed to the agency in charge to rectify the problem before a major accident is recorded on the road. Apart from the wear-and-tear caused to vehicles the several deep cuts on the road, users of the road fear that if the potholes are not filled, sooner than later, a vehicles may bump into one of them and tip over plunging both vehicles and passengers into the river. The approaches of the bridge, halfway through have all worn out and it takes dangerous maneuvering by drivers to undertake a bumpy ride across the bridge. Another observation made by this reporter was that some of the guard rails at the approaches of the bridge have either been removed or so mangled to serve the purpose for which it was provided. Speaking to the Daily Graphic over the weekend, a number of passengers bemoaned the state of neglect of the bridge. Mr. Ibrahim Musah said the irony of the matter was that, there is a toll booth at the end of the bridge which operates for twenty-four hours seven days a week. "Why can't they channel some of the funds to filling the potholes and make the usage of the bridge safe. Are we waiting for this series of potholes to cause a major accident before action is taken?" He quarried. Mr Isaac Mensah, a driver said that stretch of road littered with potholes coupled with the lack of street lights can cause serious accident and also added his voice to the appeal to the road agency to solve repair the road. Mr Mensah who ply the road very often said the have been occasion when vehicles break down half way through the bridge, hindering two vehicles from opposite sides to access the road at the same time. -end- Writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Let's adopt Biotech for food security

Story : Benjamin Xornam Glover, Aburi The Director- General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr. Abdulai Baba Salifu has stated that Ghana and the rest of Africa have no other choice than to adopt modern biotechnology in agriculture because it holds the key to reversing the worsening food insecurity and hunger in Africa. He warned that failure to do so would not only increase Africa's hungry population, but also increase Africa's reliance on imported food from countries that have fast adopted biotechnology in food production. The Director-General said this at Aburi at a workshop for journalists and scientists on “Effective Reporting of Agricultural Biotechnology in Ghana for journalists ” He noted that for many African countries the major challenge that faced people was extreme hunger. "For many people in Africa, our major headaches are bread and butter issues and the adoption of modern biotechnology holds the key for developing appropriate and improve crop variety to addresses those challenges.", Dr Salifu said. The workshop was organized by African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with the CSIR and the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB). Dr Salifu noted that the idea that people do not appreciate science and technology and its application is stems from fact that people lack the knowledge or are not well informed. He suggested the modification of the Senior High Schools (SHS) curriculum to include the teaching of modern sciences adding that the CSIR was ready to collaborate with the Ghana Education Service to review the science text books used in the Senior High Schools (SHSs) in Ghana to include the study of modern biotechnology to better equip the students. Dr Salifu also allayed the fears of the public stressed that the application of modern biotechnology for food production poses limited risk because genetically modified crops are the only crops that are subjected to rigorous tests to assure you of its safety. Mr Daniel Otunge, the OFAB Coordinator, the agriculture in africa faces a lot of challenges stressing although 60 to 70 per cent of the African population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods, only four per cent of cropped land has access to irrigation and that 25 to 33 percent of cropped land is subject to severe to moderate drought, making food production on them extremely difficult Mr. Otunge said other factors affecting agriculture in Africa include poor policies, low investments in agriculture, virulent attach on crops by pests, diseases and low application of fertilizers due to extreme poverty. He challenged the media to help in promotion of better agricultural policies and adoption of new technologies to help mitigate the challenges. Mr. Otunge underscored the central role the media plays in shaping public opinion by setting the agenda by giving weighted coverage to various societal issues. “For better or for worse, the world is mass media mediated,” he said, adding that the Ghanaian science reporters, and in deed African science journalists in general, had the freedom to be either mirrors to society or change agents. End Writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh