Bolga Christians mark resurrection of Jesus

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Most Christians in the Upper East Region marked Resurrection Sunday yesterday by attending church and celebrating with family and friends. Easter marks the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline in preparation for Easter. At the Peniel Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, in Bolgatanga, congregants attending the service were mostly adorned in white clothing to signify their happiness about the risen Christ. Some children were also baptized to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Resident Minister, Rev. Maxwell Amagyei Antwi said the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave is a victory for mankind adding that the death and resurrection of Jesus was for the salvation of mankind and therefore urge all Christians to tap into that saving grace and be guided with good conscience to do what is right and good for the betterment of society. He said for Christians, the resurrection of Christ it must rekindle the attitude of love and generosity to things of Christ

New UE Regional Minister calls for support.

Story & Pix : Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga ALHAJI Limuna Mohammed-Muniru, the Upper East Regional Minister has implored heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to give his administration the needed support in his bid to contribute to the development of the region. "Yes, you have a responsibility towards your sector ministries but so long as you are located in the region, you have a duty to help the Regional Coordinating Council to achieve its mandate of coordinating, monitoring and evaluating government programmes and policies in order to to fulfil the government's policies to bring about the desired change in the region," he said. Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru said this when he interacted with heads of various departments and agencies as well as managers of banks in Bolgatanga, his first since he assumed office as the Regional Minister. He said as part of his administration’s determined effort to provide leadership and facilitate development, he will rely on teamwork and cooperation from all sector heads and therefore called on them to offer the needed support for him to achieve set targets He also stressed the need for effective time management and advised against the abuse of time. "We all have the same working hours, be it in Accra or in Bolgatanga. if you as a leader have the tendency of turning up late for meetings, your subordinates will not take you serious and ultimately, that affects outputs," he said. He said under the present arrangement of the presidency, he is expected to sign a performance contract with specific targets after which each minister will be assessed to justify whether they deserve to stay in office or be given the sack, adding that as Regional Minister, he would be responsible for managing the the region effective. "Please, don't help be to sack myself. if you are prepared to work along, let's do so to achieve our targets. If you not prepared to work along, let me also know so we an chat the way forward. The Regional Minister also spoke against the misuse of government vehicles. "The economy is bleeding and we must find a way of containing cost. Fuel and maintenance of vehicles costs us a lot. Official vehicles are meant for official assignments while private assignments demands the use of private vehicles.The practice where officers use government vehicles for activities such as funerals etc at the weekend must not continue," he said. "All I pray and wish for is support, so that we can move the development of this region in particular and Ghana in general country further before the end of this administration,” Alhaji Mohammed-Limuna said. Contributing to the discussion, the Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr John Koku Awoonor-Williams asked the new regional minister to focus attention on issues of sanitation since the present situation is not acceptable to which the Regional Minister obliged and pledged to liaise with all agencies to help tackle the issue since sanitation is intrinsically linked to poverty reduction. -end-

Eric Amoh retained as GJA Chairman for UE

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Mr Eric Amoh has been reelected Chairman of the Upper East Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA). Mr Amoh of the Ghana News Agency, was retained as Chairman just as Mr Osman Muntawakilu of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation who was elected Regional Vice Chairman also unopposed. Mr Benjamin Glover of the Graphic Communications Group now occupies the position of Regional Secretary, while Madam Fatima Astanga Anafo of the GNA took up the post of Treasurer. On the national level provisional results for the region saw Mr Mathias Tibu polled 5 votes while Mr Abu Issa Monnie, polled 8 votes for the vice president position. Mrs Linda Asante –Agyei of GNA polled 7 votes as against 6 votes obtained by Madam Rosalind Koramah Amoh for the treasurer position while Madam Mary Mensah secured 10 votes compared to 3 votes garnered by Madam Yaa Adusei for the Public Affairs slot. Mr Eric Amoh thanked members of the association in the region for the confidence reposed in the in-coming executive and called for the cooperation of all in the effort to re-energise the GJA. He also expressed appreciation to the Electoral Commission for the effective manner they organized the polls. -End-

Tango at S-Poly, Leadership of POTAG wade in.

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The National Executive of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana, (POTAG) has stated that it fully supports the Sunyani Polytechnic Chapter in any action it chooses to take to get its representative sworn into the Polytechnic council. A statement issued and signed by the General Secretary of POTAG Mr Oswald Atiga, a copy of which is in the procession of the Daily Graphic said “POTAG as a union shall not also entertain any form of victimization of its members” The statement was in reaction to a purported standoff between the management of Suynani Polytechnic and the local chapter of POTAG. In their statement in support of their colleagues in Sunyani, the National Executive of POTAG said for the past one year, the Sunyani Polytechnic council has been operating without a POTAG representation when the law requires it. “As a result the local chapter went to court to enforce its right of representation, an action which brought about tension on that campus. The National Executive of POTAG then decided to intervene and mediate in that impasse.” It said “On January 23, 2013, a mediated understanding between the Polytechnic Management/ Council and POTAG (Sunyani Local) was that the local chapter withdraws the court case and render an unqualified apology to council. Council would on its part take immediate steps to swear in the local chapter’s representative onto the council”. “As I communicate with you, the court case has been withdrawn and management/Council has blatantly refused to swear in the local chapter’s representative onto the council an action which is creating unnecessary tension on the campus,” the statement noted. The National Executive of POTAG said while it is satisfied that the executive of the Suynani chapter have fulfilled their part of the mediated understanding it was unhappy at the management/Council of the same institution which has simply refused to abide by it’s side of the deal and therefore thrown its support behind their colleagues in Suynani Polytechnic in their bid to have their concerns addressed. It would be recalled that the Daily Graphic in its March 23, 2013 edition reported that Sunyani Polytechnic branch POTAG and the Registrar of the same institution Mr Samuel Ankamah Obour, were in a tango, citing a number of reasons for their action. Consequently, the association resolved that its members cannot work with the registrar and given the Governing Council of the polytechnic till the end of April 2013 to remove him from office, failure of which the members say they will advise themselves accordingly. Members of the association stated in their resolution, after an emergency meeting on March 20, 2013, that Mr Obour had been misleading the polytechnic council members and other senior members of the institution, such as the rector, on many issues concerning POTAG members in relation to their work. The resolution, signed by its Chairman, Mr Lawrence Amponsah, and copied to the Minister of Education and other stakeholders in education, for instance indicated that the registrar had misled the rector, thereby leading to the wrongful termination of the appointment of the Head of Department of Commercial Studies, one Mr Robertson Amoah. They contended that “POTAG is of the view that the continuous presence of Mr S.A. Obour on the campus will totally disorganise academic work there. POTAG will not sit down for this behaviour to continue.” It was however reported that Mr Obour in a quick rebuttal, told the Daily Graphic in his office that he would respond appropriately to all the allegations and accusations raised by the association. He explained that he had received a copy of the resolution and that he was seeking permission from the Chairman of the council before he would go ahead with his written response. -End-

UN call on countries to recommit to ending racial discrimination as world marks Day for elimination of racial discrimination.

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover The UN has called on countries to recommit to ending racial discrimination to realize the vision of justice, equality and freedom from fear for all. It warns that despite progress made over the years in the struggle against racism, it remains a pervasive menace to individuals and ethnic and religious groups worldwide. A statement issued by the UN information Centre, Accra in connection of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which falls on March 21, 2013, the UN said it was focusing on the power of sport to end the blight of racism. "The choice of sport as an activity or a channel to fight racism is to highlight the sharp contrast between the positive values of sports and the “despicable incidents of racism that scar even some professional competitions” said Ban Ki-moon, UN General Secretary in a message to mark the Day. According to the statement, the theme “Racism and Sport” was chosen by the UN Human Rights Office to highlight the problem of racism in sports, which remains a disturbing occurrence in many parts of the world, as well as to raise awareness of the role sports can play in combating racism and racial discrimination. Mr Ban said sport is a universal activity that can reaffirm the fundamental human rights adding that combating racism lies at the heart of the United Nations Charter and the international community has an obligation to work for equality and non-discrimination, and can advance progress by promoting these values through sports. To mark the day, a special event will take place in Geneva on March 21, 2013 and will feature two football stars: Kevin-Prince Boateng (German-Ghanaian player for AC Milan) and Patrick Vieira (French-Senegalese player, now with the Manchester City Football Club). The panel discussion will also include representatives of UEFA (William Gaillard) and FIFA (Federico Addiechi) as well as Ambassador Mohamed Siad Douale (Chairperson of the Inter-Governmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action) and Piara Powar, Executive Director of the FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) Network. On March 21 each year, the horrors of the March 21, 1960 Sharpeville, South Africa massacre is remembered to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The statement quotes the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navi Pillay, as saying “the massacre in Sharpeville represents a much wider tragedy: we mark its anniversary to remember also the millions of people around the world who are still, today, victims of racism and racial discrimination.” End benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Rejected ballots phenomenon, EC boss propose for scientific study for avert future occurrence

. Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Upper East Regional Director of the Electoral Commission(EC) Mr Bruce Ayisi has proposed a conduct of scientific study in the area of rejected ballots to ascertain the causes, effects and significance of the phenomenon in election management. Mr Ayisi, who made the recommendation at a regional review meeting of the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections in Bolgatanga on Wednesday , stated this would allow for relevant interventions that would effectively minimize the incidence of rejected ballots in future elections. According to him, the high rates of rejected ballots that also re-emerged in the last elections affect the quality of voting in the sense that, those ballots do not add to the ballots that detremine the 'winners' or 'losers in an election and therefor void. "The situation is more serious when the number of rejected ballots outstrip the margin by which a winner in a parliamentary elections beats the run-up in the first past the post system in Ghana," he said. Mr Ayisi said although the 2012 elections passed as very peaceful and commended the security agencies and the people of the region for cooperating with the EC for successful elections, he said the region suffered from the effect of poor commitment and disloyalty of some polling staff who are not EC permanent staff and recommended that the EC should consider applying sanctions to both temporary and permanent staff of the commission whose conduct tend to undermine the integrity of the electoral process. Similarly, he said a reward mechanism could be instituted to honour hardworking personnel to serve as motivation for high performance. He called for broad consultation on the matter of polling agents who by thief roles part the polling station structure adding that such efforts should strive to build confidence among political parties, the polling agents and the EC to pave way for proper co-ordination of training activities to enhance performance. Mr Amadu Sulley, Deputy Chairman of EC in charge of Finance and Administration said the commission anticipated a possible breakdown of the biometric verification devices mainly because it was the first time such a system was being use, proposed that the manual verification process should be used side by side by the commissions critical stakeholders,-the political parties insisted on 'No Verification, No Vote' This, he explained created a big challenge that resulted in the disenfranchising of many eligible voters. Mr Amadu who is also the EC Commissioner for Upper East Region said failure by field officers to adhere to simple operational instructions such as the need to replace the batteries of BVDs every four hours, induced the numerous technical encountered on polling day. He gave the assurance that all issues raised would be critically and appropriately dealt with to in order to enhance the process in future elections. The Upper East Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr. Pontius Pilate Apabey since some voters would queue up many hours to the start of voting time and voting ends at 5pm coupled with the fact that counting in most rural areas continued deep into the night resulting in some difficulties suggested to the EC to amend the voting time from the current duration of 7 am - 5pm to 6 am - 4pm to which Mr Amadu said will require boarder consultation with key stakeholders. Some participants called on the EC with all its technical knowledge on election management to be firm and stick to its own rules and not allow political parties to dictate what to be done. Others also called for the resourcing of the NCCE to embark on voter education. Political Parties, with the expecting of the New Patriotic Party, (NPP) election officials, faith-based organizations, traditional rulers, civil society organizations and the media participated in the forum. It was organised by the EC, in collaboration with the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the KAB Governance Consult End Writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

I’ll work to achieve vision of govt - Syme( MARCH 18, 2013.)

The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister designate, Mr Daniel A. Syme, has expressed his profound gratitude to the President and his advisors for recognising his hard work over the years, which has culminated in his appointment. He also thanked all those who welcomed his nomination and gave the assurance that he would work diligently in with the regional minister to achieve the vision of the government for the region. Sharing his plans on the development agenda for the region with Daily Graphic, Mr Syme said more than 80 per cent of the people in the region were poor so he would work with the substantive minister to re-engineer policies that would ensure job creation for the youth and minimise rural-urban migration. Considering his experience as a former District Chief Executive (DCE) for Builsa for 12 years, he added that he would in partnership with the minister institute programmes and projects that would attract non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to the region. The NGOs, he explained, would partner the regional coordinating council and the district assemblies in their developmental programmes since the internally generated funds and the District Assembly Common Fund alone were insufficient for undertaking development programmes. Outlining some of his achievements as DCE and the collective vision for the Upper East Region, the nominee said he implemented the Community-Based Development Project, which was piloted by UNICEF and later replicated across the country. He also pioneered and facilitated the establishment of the Builsa Community Bank (BUCOBANK), which is one of the leading community-based banks in the country currently. Mr Syme, who is an auditor by profession, further noted that as acting DCE for the Kasena-Nankana District, he controlled and mitigated the upsurge of intra-ethnic conflict in the Mirigu-Kandiga area in 1993 and added the area was currently peaceful. He stated that he actively promoted and supported the implementation of the onchocerciasis-freed zone development programme which saw the successful execution of infrastructure projects in the health and sanitation sectors, including feeder roads and a bridge over the Sissili River to link the ‘overseas’ area with the Upper East Region. Mr Syme also intimated that working in concert with the regional minister, he would continue to liaise with traditional authorities and assembly members and constantly dialogue with youth groups to fashion out programmes that would promote closer relationship among the people in order to eliminate the possibility of conflict. Mr Syme, recognising that he would not be working in isolation if approved by the Parliament, stressed that he would partner the regional minister in all things with the objective of improving the lives of the people in the region and bringing development to the area. The nominee was a member of the Committee for the Defence of the Revolution (CDR) from 1990-1992, and was appointed Builsa District Chief Executive from 1992-2000. Mr Syme, who before his appointment was an Assistant Auditor-General, is married with three children and hails from the Builsa District of the Upper East Region. He started his primary education at Sandema and proceeded to the Sakasaka Experimental School. He moved back to Sandema Middle Boarding School and later enrolled at the Saint Charles Secondary School in Tamale. He proceeded to Nsien Secondary School, Axim and later moved to Tema Secondary School. In 1983, he graduated as an accountant from the then Institute of Professional Studies, now University for Professional Studies, from where he joined the Ghana Audit Service till 1990 when he was appointed as the PNDC District Secretary for Builsa in the Rawlings led administration. In 1992 when there was a transition to constitutional rule, Mr Syme was again appointed DCE for Builsa. After the first term in office, he was reappointed and stayed in office till the year 2000. He returned to the Audit Service where he rose through the ranks to become an Assistant Auditor-General in charge of Administration and Human Resource; a position he held until his current appointment as Deputy Upper East Regional Minister designate. As a DCE, he performed many roles. Similarly, at the Audit Service, some of the assignments he performed included undertaking special audit duties in many district assemblies, and other external assignments in the Ghana Mission, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea in 2007 and special audit assignments in the Ghana Mission in London, the United Kingdom. Mr Mark Owen Woyongo, MP for Navrongo Central and Minister for Defence, spoke highly of the Deputy Upper East Regional Minister designate. "He's been a cadre for a long time and knows the terrain very well. In my estimation, with his background as an auditor, he will blend very well with the regional minster in administering the region." Mr Woyongo, the immediate past Regional Minister said about the nominee.

Bolga Poly student drowns in swimming pool

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga A third year statistics student of the Bolgatanga Polytechnic in the Upper East Region and a resident of the Navrongo area drowned in a swimming pool at the Tono Club House in the Kassena-Nankana East Municipality on Friday. The deceased identified as Kweku Bayingme was said to have accompanied friends form the school to pool as part of a recreational activity in this year Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students Week Celebrations. Some students who witnessed the sad incident said the deceased, a non- residential student of the school, arrived in the company of some friends and whilst they were sitting on edged of the swimming pool dived into the deep side of the swimming pool. They said by the time the attention of the life guard on duty was drawn to his plight, he had drowned in the water. He was rushed to Navrongo War Memorial hospital where he was declared dead by medical officers on duty. The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Bolgatanga Hospital Morgue for autopsy after it was transferred from Navrongo Hospital due to lack of space. The President of the Students Representative Council, Mr Adama Muntala, in told the Daily Graphic that he received call from his colleagues that one of the students had drowned in the pool. He said he quickly move to Navrongo where to assist in the use after taking in some alcohol, Agyei decided to bathe in the the case was reported to the Police as well as the palace of the Navrongo Chief. Meanwhile the police are in Navrongo are investigating the death of the young man, police investigators told the Daily Graphic.

Bawku SHS cries for infrastructure expansion

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bawku The Bawku Senior High School in the Upper East Region has launched its 50th anniversary celebration with an appeal to government and old students to address infrastructure deficiencies and other challenges that inhibit the smooth running of the school. The Headmaster of the school, Mr Bismarck Simon Kpuli who made the appeal at the launch of the school’s Golden Jubilee celebration at Bawku said the school had turned out a lot of people who were contributing to the socio-economic development of the country, yet the school was currently facing many problems making it difficult to provide better learning environment for students. Bawku Senior High School was established on October 11, 1963 as a co-educational institution with an initial enrollment of 50 students and four teachers. 50 years on, the student population stands at 2,780 with 124 teachers. The anniversary, which will be climaxed on October this year, will be on the theme, “The Search for peaceful co-existence to promote quality education”. Mr. Kpuli mentioned some infrastructure which needed to be expanded and renovated such as staff bungalows, dormitories, library, ICT and Science and assembly hall among others due to increase in enrolment. “Due to inadequate accommodation for the staff, some teachers and their families are sleeping in some empty classrooms, while other commute daily from school and their rented premises in town. The situation in the boarding house is also dire as there is overcrowding and the likelihood of an outbreak of an epidemic. ” he said. He said there was the urgent need for the provision of boreholes in the school to maintain regular supply of water to the kitchen and the school’s administration block. The Headmaster added that the school needed an ICT Centre and a library complex to meet the growing needs of students in a challenging technological world. He lauded the Parent Teacher Association for the numerous assistance to the school including funding the construction of a fence wall to secure the boundaries of the school which has prevented encroachment of school lands and helped to improve discipline in the school as well financing on yearly basis, an academic improvement programme to the tune of about GH c 45,000 each year. He said despite the challenges, the school's academic performance had been excellent. For three years running it has scored 100 per cent passes in the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The Paramount Chief of Bawku, Nana Asigri Azoka Abugrago II praised the school authorities for working hard under trying conditions to maintain an enviable academic record particularly during the trying periods of the Bawku conflict. He also called for the restoration of the name of the school to its previous name, Asoka Senior High School to preserve memory of the then Bawku Naba who assisted in securing a land for the school. The second Headmaster of the School, Mr. Robert A. Ajene who chaired the function advised the current students to be discipline and concentrate on their studies in order to achieve their objective of being in school. The Municipal Chief Executive for Bawku, Mr. Musah Abdulai, also a former student said the need for more infrastructures will receive government’s attention namely a modern administration block, dormitories, dining hall assembly hall and sanitation facilities. He disclosed that currently, two blocks of flats for the teaching staff are under construction and expressed the hope that this when completed will greatly improve staff accommodation. -End- Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Students raise concerns over intended teachers’ strike

Students raise concerns over intended teachers’ strike Concerns are being raised over the negative impact the intended strike action will have on students especially on candidates sitting the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE), staring this month. Some examination candidates and Administrators who spoke to the Daily Graphic expressed fears that they may not be ready for the all-important examinations if the intended industrial actions are carried out. "We have only a few days to the start of the examinations. We need them to help us to revise since we have got little time. Our teachers are our mentors and we need them most now. We would like to urge the government to address whatever problems they have so they can remain in the classroom and teach,” said Ashraf Ayaba, Students Representative Council President of Bawku Senior High School who spoke to the Daily Graphic on the sidelines of the launch of 50th anniversary celebration of the school. Another student Ruhaha Atubiga said students will suffer immensely if there are no teachers in the classrooms to take us through our final days adding that this is not the time for them to go on strike. An Assistant Headmaster of Zebilla Senior High School, Mr. Richard Akumbas said if something is not dome immediately to resolve the problem, the action strike might affect both the internal and external examinations due to be held later this month. He stressed the need for normalcy to be restored in order not to disrupt the academic calendar. The Upper East Regional Director of Education, Mr. Paul Apanga was optimistic that with a number of consultation and meetings lined up with the leadership of teachers, the issue should be resolved very fast for the sake of the child. He said he has met with the various Municipal and District Directors of Education and discussed with them alternative arrangements to be reactivated to handle the problem should the negotiations prolong. This include, deploying National Service Personnel and other capable academic staff working in various offices into the field to assist with some aspects of supervision of both internal and external examinations, while negotiations with teachers continue. Teachers in the first and second-cycle schools have decided to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike from Monday, March 18, 2012. However a statement signed by the Ministry of Information and Media Relations, Mr. Mahama Ayariga said government is concerned about the decision of the GNAT and NAGRAT to embark on an indefinite strike when senior high schools students writing the WASSCE have started and pupils in basic schools are preparing to write BECE. A meeting was therefore scheduled for Sunday, March 17, 2013 at the Flagstaff House to find amicable solutions to problems raised by the two unions. -End- Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

NAGRAT: "OUR ACTION IS WELL INTENDED"

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Upper East Regional Secretary of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Mr. Michael Ayuraboya Akanvibe has stated that the indefinite strike action declared by the association effective Monday, March 18, 2013 was not meant to jeopardize the future final year students writing the on-going West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) but a struggle to protect the image of the profession and make it attractive for the future generations. NAGRAT, which declared an industrial action effective Monday, March 18, 2013 also warned headmasters and Director of Education not to stand in the way of the teachers serving under them as they embark on the industrial action to press home the unaddressed concerns for the common good of the teaching profession. Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga, Mr. Akanvibe said in spite of several efforts by the leadership of NAGRAT to have the issues solve amicably, government has demonstrated abundantly clearly that it was in no way to ready to meet them to have the issues resolve, hence the industrial action by the teachers. He said the association’s intended strike action in January 2013 was called off following the intervention of the Chief of Staff and Executive secretary to President Mahama. Subsequently an agreement was reached with NAGRAT National Officers at a meeting convened by the Chief of Staff, Mr. Prosper Banini, at the Seat of Government on the 22nd of January 2013. “At that meeting, government requested NAGRAT put on hold any intentions of an industrial action so as to enable it constitute a working group that would resolve all the issues in six weeks,” he noted. He said despite the firm promises that the working group will be constituted and commissioned on February 12, 2013 at 2pm, as at March 13, 2013, when the National Council of NAGRAT met in Accra, the Six weeks requested by government had elapsed, but the Working group had neither been constituted nor commissioned. “Consequently, the issues raised remained unresolved to date. It is abundantly clear that government has no intentions to resolve the concerns. NAGRAT has tried all along to use diplomacy and dialogue to resolve the issues but government has consistently demonstrated bad faith and non-commitment to resolving them” “The longer the issues linger, the more restless our members become. The pressure from the membership of the association has reached its peak. Leadership responded to the needs of the membership which as at now is a call for industrial action,” he said. Enumerating some of their concerns of NAGRAT, Mr. Akanvibe said they included the non-negotiation of Category 2 and 3 allowances for teachers, unilateral freezing of the annual incremental credits for teachers, non-payment of maintenance allowances to teachers for about tow years and refusal of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to re-negotiate retention premium for teachers. Other concerns include the delays in the promotion of teachers, the unilateral decision of GES to freeze the placement of teachers with additional responsibilities in the Single Spine Salary Structure, failure of the GES management to negotiate allowance for the supervision and invigilation of examinations conducted by WAEC and non-generation of pay slips of teachers for some time now. -End- Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.co.gh.

All set for Division Two League in UE

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Twenty Division Two Clubs in the Upper East Region have laced their boots to battle each other in this year’s regional Division Two League which starts from March 30, 2013. According to a time –table released by the Upper East Regional Football Association Executives Committee, have been zoned into four groups with five teams each. At the end of which the winners of each groups will make qualify top play a round robin. The Regional FA said the winner of the round-robin will gain promotion to represent the region in the 2013-14 national Division One League. The Upper East Regional Chairman of the Football Association, Salifu Shaibu Zida forecasted a very keen and competitive season for the Division Two league and was hopeful that by the end of the caboodle, a strong team will emerge fro represent the region in the Division One League and subsequently gain qualification into the Ghana Premier League. The Upper East Region is yet to produce a team in the Ghana Premier League and the Regional FA is determined to have a team from the region partake in the national league. That dream when achieve will not only provide a platform for the several young talent to exhibit their skills but also boost socio-economic lives of the people and also attract football tourists to the region. Below are the teams that are set to play in the various zones in the Division Two League: ZONE ONE Garu United, Binduri United, Lamboya Young Stars,Garu Reformed Stars and Bawku Wonderful Stars. ZONE TWO Paga Crocodile Stars, Paga Japan Stars, Wiaga United, Achula Wonders and Builsa United ZONE THREE Manchester City, Scientific Soccer Revolutionaries, Navrongo F/C, Nankane Union Stars and Black Arrows. ZONE FOUR Dynamic Shappers, Bolga All Stars, Mighty Rocks, Tongo Barcelona and Pwalugu United.

MP for Navrongo Central tour burnt market

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Navrongo The Member of Parliament for Navrongo Central, Mr. Mark Woyongo has paid a visit to the Navrongo market which got burnt on the 2th of February, 2013. The visit was to commiserate with the victims of the fire disaster. The fire incidence was recorded on February 24, 2013 at about 3 pm. Initial reports indicated that the cause of the fire was as a result of a lighted incense which drop on a polythene bag containing cosmetics which later exploded in one of the metal containers. At the time of the disaster, the MP, who is also the Minister of Defense, was on assignment in the Ivory Coast for the ECOWAS meeting on Mali. On his return he thought it wise to visit the victims and also donate some items to mitigate their loss. Addressing the traders, Mr. Woyongo assured them that the Kassena-Nankana East Municipal Assembly will reconstruct the stalls and hand them back to the victims whose stores got burnt. He however bemoaned the lack of access roads in the market which made it difficult for personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service to move through the market to fight the fire. He expressed the hope that the Municipal assembly taken cognizance of the challenge and will put in place a well laid out market so that in future when there is a fire, personnel can move freely through the market with their fire tenders to quench the fire. “Navrongo is a municipality and we have to develop and give way to new and modern ways of doing things to befit the status of a municipal assembly,” he said. Mr. Woyongo said added that he will make a representation to the Ministry of Local Government to the release of funds for the re-gravelling of the new market under construction and extension of electricity to allow for occupation by the traders. Mr. Woyongo donated 200 pieces each of mattress, buckets, bedsheets, pillows and cups to the fire victims. He also pledged to get some iron roofing sheets for the assembly to put up more stalls at the new market for the traders. Mr. Woyongo also encourage the traders to take personal insurance so that in the such unfortunate circumstances they can fall on their insurers for support The Municipal Chief Executives, Mr. Emmanuel Andema said a committee has been constituted to investigate the matter and expressed the hope that they will come out with appropriate recommendation to guide the assembly on how to prevent future disasters. One of the fire victims, who gave her name as Madam Rose in an interview appealed to the MP and the Municipal Assembly to help them re-negotiate with the creditors to give them grace period before they resume repayment of the loans to the banks and lending institutions that have advanced loans to the market women. -End-

Bolgatanga Assembly demolish unauthorised structure

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly has conducted an exercise to demolish all unauthorized structures in the Municipality. A task force led by the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Edward Ayiriba Ayagle, was made up of some members of the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly, the Ghana police service, and Ghana fire service who sought to remove containers along water ways, high tension areas and highways with the hope to bring proper sanitation to the Bolgatanga Municipality. The exercise also saw the removal of signages along portions of the Bolgatanga –Navrongo road and at road intersections including those of churches, banks and government agencies. Mr. Ayagle explained that owners of some containers which do not fall within the demolishing exercise will be given a monthly renewal permit. “All containers without permit have been given temporal permits renewable every six month and for those who haven’t paid their monthly operational fees they will have to do so in addition to penalties, in this way it will bring sanity into the municipality”. The demolishing exercise was not without protestation from the shop owners who accused the assembly for not adequately informing them action. “We were not informed prior to this demolishing, I just heard the announcement this morning that they are destroying my container so I came here. In fact building a container is not easy it involves money,” One person said “I have been at the assembly several times for permit but they keep on telling me they were yet to set a committee and since then anytime a go there they tell me to hold on” said another The issues of uncontrolled planting of metal containers in the municipality have become an issue in the Upper East Regional Capital. Metal containers and other structures of all sorts has become the order of the day in the municipality, while the Assembly keeps blaming owners for not contacting the assembly to acquire permits, others are also accusing the assembly for failing to enforce the rules and regulations leading to the increase of the number of shops and other structures. -End- (Published on Thursday, March 14, 2013 Page 23)

CHAG facilities in UE refuse NHIS CARDS holders

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) medical facilities in the Upper East Region have complied with directives not to accept National Health Insurance Cards as a result of a backlog of debt owed them National Health Insurance Authority. The General Manager of the Presbyterian Health Service- Northern Sector, Mr. John Abugri who confirmed this to the Daily Graphic via telephone said the decision to resort to cash and carry system was to save the facilities from further sufferings as a result of no-payment for services rendered under the scheme. Checks by the Daily Graphic at the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital, as well as the Garu Presbyterian Hospital on Monday March 11, 2013 indicated that staff were attending to NHIS Card bearers already on admission before the directive were issued as well as expectant mothers and emergency cases. They maintained that these services were being rendered on humanitarian grounds and in line with the directive from the CHAG. Some clients who spoke to the Daily Graphic called on government to settle their financial commitment and to the CHAG institutions since they play a vital role in meeting the health needs of the people. They contend that if the protest continues for a long time will bring a serious health problem to many people in the area, considering the fact that most people depend on the CHAG facilities to access health care. In February, this year, members of the Association of Private Health Care Providers (APHCP) in the region also threatened o resort to cash and carry a result of failure by the National Health Insurance Authority to meet its financial obligation of reimbursing facilities. The Regional Secretary of the APHCP, Mr. Frank Fuseini at a meeting in Bolgatanga said 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. He said under the circumstances providers are faced with numerous challenges with regards to health service delivery in the region, among them are the non-payment of salaries to workers and lack of essential drugs. -End- Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Polytechnic students urged to venture into entrepreneurship

Story : Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Polytechnic graduates and trainees, who have completed specialized courses but cannot find suitable jobs have been urged to become entrepreneurs. The Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, Mr Edward Ayagiba Ayagle who said this at the 21st Annual Week Celebration of the Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students(GNUPS) stressed that there were many businesses with economic potential which graduates could venture into instead of waiting for white collar jobs. “We must look beyond white collar jobs and venture into the entrepreneurship sector using the knowledge you gain in school,” Mr Ayagle said when he launched the GNUPS week celebration at the Bolgatanga Polytechnic campus. The theme for the celebration was equipping the youth with entrepreneurial resources, the means to solving Ghana's unemployment problems. Mr Ayagle said many polytechnic graduates and trainees had mastered the necessary working skills and knowledge to enable them to set up their own businesses adding that the days when many people rely on white collar jobs are long gone. He added that government on its parts will continue to create the right environment to support young entrepreneurs set up. The National President of GNUPS, Mr William Apam Awiniman called on the president of the republic to fulfill a pledge to upgrade all polytechnics into technical universities and thereby granting them autonomy. Expatiating on the choice of the theme, Mr Awiniman said having taken a close look at the social science programmes offered at the polytechnics it came to light that almost 70 per cent of them are business related courses with the other courses making up the remaining 30 per cent. "It is a fact that all the polytechnics do offer entrepreneurship as a course discipline to all is students be it commence, engineering or applied science programmes. This brings us to the question of how many of the graduates are able to use or apply the entrepreneurial skills and knowledge acquired from school? probably less than 5 per cent. " He said. "The question this brings us further is that, is it that the students study the course for examinations sake or are not willing to apply the skills acquired or just don't know how, where, when and what to start with or perhaps lack the resources, be it financial, mentorship or technical know-how to start deploying their entrepreneurial skills practically," he said According to him, management of polytechnics has to do more than teaching students the only skills and venture to the practicality of becoming entrepreneurs. The Rector of the Bolgatanaga Polytechnic, Dr Mba Atinga said the kind of training offered by polytechnics is geared at empowering the students and equip then to overcome the challenges of unemployment and therefore entreated the students to take their studies seriously. -End- Writer's email:benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Concentrate efforts at promoting peace.....Woyongo tell successor

Story and Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The immediate past Upper East Regional, Mr Mark Woyongo has admonished his successor to concentrate his efforts at promoting peace in the region and government policies in order to ensure the achievement of the objectives set by the President. Mr Woyongo who is the current MP for Navrongo Central and the new Minister for Defense made the call during an official ceremony in Bolgatanga to formally handover to the new Regional Minister, Dr. Ephraim Avea Nsoh who just before the ceremony was reassigned to the Upper West Region to handle the political administration of that region. "You must be lucky to be taking over the region which is enjoying great stability. "Mr Woyongo said. "I inherited an very turbulent region but by dint of hard work, we were able to stabilize in the region in terms of peace." He added. Mr Woyongo said Bawku which was in flames when he took over is now calm and the guns have now gone silent. He however urged his successor to work extra hard to ensure that permanent peace is restored in Bawku. "You have a duty to ensure total peace returns to Bawku and all other flash points in the region. A duty to ensure our Brothers and Sisters on the Bawku Inter Ethnic Peace Committee returns to the negotiations table. Mr Woyongo who said he feels honoured to have served the Upper East Region for four years entreated his successor to work with the various stakeholders, the Paramount Chief for Bawku, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, the leadership of the Mamprusis Ethnic Group, the security Agencies, leaders of the other minority ethnic group and possibly the Nayire and Paramount Chief of Mamprugu to consolidate the peace efforts put in place. Touching on other area of development, Mr Woyongo the region during his tenure of office saw significant development within the last four years but the people are still crying for more development and therefore the need for his successor to work extra hard to bring development to the region. He said efforts are underway to contruct a multi purpose hydro electric and irrigation dam at Pwalugu in the Talensi District and a similar one earmarked for the Sisili River, he therefore called on his successor to show interest and keep track of such projects which will bring relief to the people in particular and the country as a whole. He also encourage his successor to pursue the possibility of building a similar dam on the Tamne Dam in the Garu-Tempane district which wield a huge potential for agricultural activities. Mr Woyongo said the regions also boasts of a number of investment opportunities and urged his successor to put in extra effort to attract investors. "We have large tract of land, clay and rock deposits, minerals among others. it will be very useful if my successors can market them and attract the needed investors to create jobs for the youth" he said. On agriculture, he said during his tenure SADA supported farmers with tractors and other farm inputs and urged his successor to laise with the SADA Secretariat to further assistance. While wishing his successor well, Mr Woyongo called on him to be mindful of the harassment of foot soldiers. " It will be unavoidable but you have to learn to accommodate them. They say they have out us in office so they must be obeyed. While not giving your whole time to them, it will be useful to devout some time to the foot soldiers" He gave the assurance that he will be available to offered whatever form of assistance. "I hail from this region and I need nothing but the best for this region. I am condemned to assisting you to succeed. If the you succeed,the regions, Ghana and the NDC that have succeeded and I am prepared to help in whatever form" Mr Woyongo said. Mr Avea Nsoh in a response commended the former regional minister for laying a solid foundation and pledged to build on the successes chalk by Mr Woyongo in moving the development of the region to a higher pedestal albeit in within the short tenure before proceeding to the Upper West region to assume the political leadership of that region following the latest reshuffle by the president. End (Published on Thursday, March 14, 2013 Page 16)

FDA trains caterers and cooks on SFP on food safety

Story:Benjamin Xornam Glover, Navrongo The Food and Drugs Authority has stressed the need for caterers and cooks engaged on the School Feeding Programme(SFP) to adhere to strict good hygiene practices in other to safeguard the health if pupils they serve. Mr. Eugene Addo, Upper East Regional Officer of the FDA said the health of the pupils in the school feeding programme is of paramount importance that must not be compromised. "This can be compromised by caterers who do not practice good hygiene practices." He said. Mr Addo who said this at a food safety awareness Programme at Navrongo emphasized that the adverse consequences if safety and hygiene practices are not adhered to are the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, tuberculosis and Hepatitis A and B to the pupils eating the food through various activities in getting food ready for the pupils.. He said without a holistic effort of all and sundry to coordinate efficiently effectively and to hold bold the virtue of this programme, The Ghana School Feeding Programme is an initiative of he Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Goal Programme (CAADP) pillar III and part of government's efforts to attain the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) one and two which seeks to eliminate extreme hunger, poverty and achieve universal basic education. He explained that the training was necessitated by a survey conducted by the FDA which revealed some lapses on the part of caterers and cooks. For example, he said in one of the schools, handlers of the programmes had challenges with storage facilities while at another school, the team met a cook who had a sore at the back of the hand. "In light of this, we thought it wise to meet the caterers and cooks to educate them on good hygiene practices in IDE to help them enhance their delivery and secure the safety of pupils. " He said. The Planning Officer of the Kassena-Nankana East Municipal Assembly, said this was the first time such a training was being organized for the caterers and cooks to enhance their delivery at the school level. While recognizing the fact that the caterers and cooks were professional, she said such training was necessary in order to help the participants refresh thief memory and learn new things all with the view of ensuring the safety of the pupils. Mr Desmond Alale, a Regulatory Officer at FDA said most in rural communities, caterers and cooks may may not have the best of facilities for cooking as much as possible they should ensure their cooking area be clean, avoid wet floors, and cobweb infested ceiling. He also stressed the need for personal hygiene to avoid food poisoning or sickness and or diarrhea. On raw food, he cautioned the caterers to adhere to safety and quality features. Again they should know who they are buying from so that in case if anything, they can trace to the source. -end-

Bongo: Traders alarmed at lack of sanitary facilities

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover A section of traders at the Bongo Market in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region are alarmed at the lack of toilet facility at the market. They fear the situation if not checked could result in an epidemic outbreak traders and other users resort to open defecation. The concerns were raised by the women at a durbar to mark this year's International Women's Day celebration at Bongo on the localized theme, "Keep your promises on sanitation and water". It was organized by Water Aid, an NGO and in collaboration with the office of the Paramount Queen Mother of the Bongo Traditional Area. The traders said the lack of toilet facility in the market, which is common meeting place in the town is part of a growing waste problem facing the district with the others being inadequate supply of portable water and indiscriminate littering with plastic materials. They therefore appealed to the Bongo District Assembly to step up its efforts and provide the market with a decent sanitary facility to avert any outbreaks. The Queen Mother of Bongo, Pog-Naba Abeliwine Nge underscored the importance of a clean environment and more importantly access to clean portable water to the daily life of people especially women and appeal to government to ensure the extend the supply of portable water from the Vea dam which presently serves the Bolgatanga municipality to the people of Bongo Dr. Afia S. Zakiya, Country Representative for WaterAid, said any woman, any child and any household without access to water is experiencing a form of violence and therefore called on government to meet its financial commitments on sanitation and end sanitation and water poverty, and its daily toll on human life, health and livelihoods. She also stressed the need for traditional rulers to champion the need for a cleaner environment. She said in countries like Rwanda, the use of plastic bags had been banned because of the menace they cause to the environment and said it should be possible for a similar action to be taken in Ghana in view of the indiscriminate littering and the havoc plastic materials to the environment. She said WaterAid which has been working in Ghana for the past 27 years and will continue to work with communities to help with the provision of clean safe water, sanitation and hygiene services. The Bongo District Planning Officer, Mr Adigun Akanpatulsi said the assembly will continue to advance the cause of water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives in the district. -END- Writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

UE Education Directorate to investigate string of poor performance at BECE level

story & Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Upper East Regional Director of Education, Mr Paul Apanga has bemoaned the continuous decline in the performance of pupils at the Basic Education Certificate Examination. In a speech read on his behalf by Mr. Gregory Amoa a speech read on his at this year's Independence Day parade hat Bolgantanga, Mr. Apanga said equally distraught at poor performance recorded over the years is the Director General of the Ghana Education Service(GES) who have gone a step further and requested a research to be conducted into the causes of the continued decline in the BECE especially in the three regions in Northern Ghana with the view of proposing possible remedies to stem the decline. This year, pupils selected from 32 primary schools, 27 Junior High Schools and six Senior High schools joined a contingent from the security agencies to take part in the parade. There was Gymnastic and Taekwando displays by selected pupils. The Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, Mr. Edward Ayagle in the absence of a substantive regional minister took the salute and read the president anniversary message. For the first time, a cash award was presented to the school adjudged the best during the march pass. Awogyeya Primary School took home a cash of GH c 100 made possible by African Financial Services Ghana Limited. The branch manager, Mr Adam Abdul Basit said the gesture was to encourage the pupils to show keen interest in extra curriculum activities in school which forms part of their grooming. Mr Apanga while expressing the hope that the research will bring out working solutions also entreated Municipal and District Directors of Education to intensify supervision in basic schools. He also urged teachers to go the extra mile and make the necessary efforts to prepare good lesson notes, use appropriate teaching methods, give individual attention to pupils with learning difficulties and create child friendly environments for pupils to develop interest in subjects ares such as mathematics, Integrated Science, English Language, Social Studies and I.C.T. He also called on head teachers and circuit supervisors to scrutinize lesson notes before vetting, observe teachers teach and offer professional advice where necessary . The Regional Director advice pupils to take their learning seriously both at school and at home emphasizing that attended dances, watching movies, dating at the expense of their studies will only spell doom for them in the future. He also urge parents to play thief supervisory roles well to motivate their wards to learn. End

Women and youth groups in conflict prone communities in UE sensitized on Peace Building

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Conflicts in some communities in the three regions in Northern Ghana has been identified as severely undermining efforts towards good governance and poverty alleviation. According to the Women in Peace Building Movement, a civil society organization, such intermittent outbreak of conflicts has resulted in heavy loss of life and property, political instability, mass displacement of people and delay in development activities. The President of the Movement, Hajia Zaratu Abdul-Rahman who made this known at a two-day training workshop for women and youth networks in peace building in Northern Ghana at Bolgatanga said in recent years the government of Ghana has spent close to GH c 10 billion annually to support the peace keeping efforts of security agencies in Northern Ghana. "This situation must change if we must achieve good governance and overcome poverty. The unproductive and senseless security cost would continue to undermine our development efforts unless the general attitude and perception of development partners and relevant stakeholders regarding peace changes." She said. The workshop was funded by United Nations Joint Programme on Human Security, on the theme "strengthening the umbrella of woman and youth in peace building, the key to human security, peace and sustainable development organized by Women in peace movement. The workshop sought to mobilize women and youth groups selected from conflict communities in the Upper East Region including Bawku and Bolgatanga with the aim of harnessing ther effort in peace building processes for sustainable peace and development in their respective communities. it was also aimed at exposing participants to human security concepts and the strategic lineage between human security, peace and development, mechanisms and strategic lineages between between human security, peace and development, mechanisms and strategies for non-violence and peaceful co-existence. Hajia Zaratu said over the past years, the Movement has sort to develop relationships with various categories of women to support peace negotiations with example being women from Liberia, Dagbon, Bawku and Wa adding they hope to achieve a Northern Ghana in which conflict is redefined and transformed into a dynamic environment, where women, men and the youth participate in decision making processes for accelerated development. A facilitator Fr. Thaddeus Kuusah said the three regions in Northern Ghana, amidst rising poverty are at great disadvantage anytime conflict breaks out and therefore stressed the need for greater participation of women and the youth in pre-emptying conflicts as well as peace building. Mr. Isaac Bayor, Field Specialist with the UN Joint Programme on Human Security said the organization has one it's mandate to keep peace and maintain peace. Therefore, it will continue to work with civil society and community based organizations to spearhead the crusade against violent conflicts. The Acting Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Ms Joycelyn Adii reiterated the fact that women and the youth play a vey important role when it comes to peace building. She said while the women give quality advice and most often serve as great mediators, they also are ms often hit when any conflict arise. The youth, she also said are always used as tools in conflict as they are strong and most often not very matured to understand issues very well. "they think the only way to resolve their differences is by fighting,interestingly, they are the very ones that can calm situations down" she said. She expressed the hope that the opportunity provided the participants will go a long way to promote peace building and help build trust among conflicting groups and communities in the region. -end- Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

UE observe 56th Independence Day with parade

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Upper East Regional celebrations of the 56th Independent anniversary started exactly 8:00am with 180 security personnel drawn from the Ghana Police Service, Prisons Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Revenue Authority(Customs Division) and the Ghana Immigration Service. 2,007 pupils and students from basic and second cycle institutions in the Bolgatanga Municipality were on parade to mark the occasion. The contingent of the security personnel on parade under the command of ASP, Mr Abdul Jaleel Saeed, students and pupils, including army cadet corps of the Bolgatanga Technical Institute and the Police Cadet Corps from Zamse Senior High Technical Schools treated the audience to slow and quick march past to the admiration of the large crowd, who gathered at the St. Johns Park defying the hot scorching sun to mark the celebration. In attendance was the Upper East Regional Police band who provided music for the occasion. There was also a Gynastic displays by pupils from Bolgatanga Model Preparatory school and a Taekwando performance. The Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, Mr Edward Ayagle read the President's anniversary address. In a welcoming address, the Regional Director of Education, Mr Paul Apanga in a speech read on his behalf bemoaned the continuos decline in performance of students at the BECE level and disclosed that the Director General of GES is equalling saddened at the situation and has requested a research to be conducted into the causes of the continued decline in the BECE especially in the three Northern Regions and proposed possible remedies to stem the decline. -end-

UE records reduction in HIV prevalence rate

Story:Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga HIV prevalence rate among pregnant women in the Upper East Region have reduced over the years from 3.2 in 2006 to 2.4 in 2010 and 1.5 in 2011. Dr John Koku Awoonor-Williams, Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service has disclosed. He said at the same time, the region's preventing mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV sites increased from 45 in in 2006 to 163 in 2012 making prevention of new HIV infections services more accessible to the target populations. "While I take the opportunity to commend all Budget Management Centers (BMCs)on these achievements, we need more behavioral change practices and scale up of adolescent and sexual health interventions to enable us sustain this downward trend in HIV prevalence in the region." Dr. Awoonor-Williams said. The Regional Director of Health Services said this during a four-day Regional annual performance review meeting at Bolgatanga. The meeting themed:"Achieving service coverage through quality data: the impact of health information management management systems implementation" sought to appraise the region’s performance in healthcare delivery in the previous year and to strategize on how improve on its services. He said the drive to moreover health infrastructure for accelerated health gains received significant boost in 2012 adding that PMTCT centres were a accordingly completed in Yinduri, Navrongo Central and Kurugu in the Kassena-Nankana Wst District. He said Community Health Planning and Services ( CHPS) compounds has been provided at Aloko in the Garu-Tempane District, Gambigo in the Bolgatanga Municipality, Yarigu in the Bawku West District and Anafobisi in the Bongo District. He disclosed that functional CHPS zones increased from 87 in 2008 to 117 in 2012 representing 86 percent increase over a 4-year period due to a determined effort and focus to reach a larger population and address geographical access disparities. In spite of these strides, Dr. Awoonor-Willaims said inadequate human resource continue to affect the quality of health service delivery in the Upper East Region despite planned sustained efforts by the regional health sector to address the challenge with the worse affected being the district health facilities as doctors, nurses and other health professionals continue to refuse postings to the region. He said 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 GHS, Dr Elias Sory who was a guest of honour commended the leadership of the Regional Health Directorate particularly, Dr Awoonor-Williams for his role in addressing most of the pressing health challenges affecting the region. He noted even in he face of human resource and infrastructural deficit, the region through prudent managerial policies has made remarkable strides in scaling up most CHPS Compounds which have been helpful in improving the quality of health of the rural communities. He also stressed the need for decentralization of recruitment process so Regional Health Directors can be resources and empowered to hire and fire personnel. -End-

A look at some Eco Tourism Sites in UE

Story and Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The tourism sector in the Upper East Region has a great potential. Sadly, most of these tourists sites have either been neglected or those that have witnessed some appreciable developments in the past have been left to deteriorate. One would have hoped that the various Municipal and District Assemblies in whose jurisdiction these sites falls would have adopted some of these sites and invested in its development so that in the long run, make their respective district would become the preferred tourism destination in the country, not to talk about the economic benefits that it would bring to the people. From Widnaba in the Bawku West District through Kulungungu and Pusiga in the Bawku Municipality to Woriyanga in the Garu-Tempane District a number of eco-tourism sites and other tourist attractions have been abandoned. Tourist destinations that could become a “gold mine” have been neglected while the people and the respective district assemblies wallow in poverty. In actual fact, the District Assemblies could have put development of these sites it in its development agenda to harness the site for income generation but sad to say, this has not been the priority of most assemblies. Attractions. Widnaba Eco-Tourism Site The stunning natural hilly destinations in the Bawku West District, it is one of the communities in the Red Volta River Valley and a migratory corridor for a small population of Africa Savannah Elephants. One can take a hike to the surrounding hillside accompanied by tour guides. From the apex of the hills, the views are fantastic, and you can see far into Burkina Faso. In the past Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC), a Ghanaian non-profit, private voluntary organization implementing conservation initiatives to promote a greater awareness and protection of the natural, historic and cultural diversity in Ghana, embarked on an initiative to and market the eco-tourism sites in the region including Widnaba. He said under the intervention, visitors reception center was constructed, while a guest houses (huts) were also been built at the site. In addition, dustbins, sanitation equipment and directional signs were provided to aid tourists visiting the sites. Today, the sites are in ruins. The facilities provided have all deteriorated. A Tour guide, Abdul Karim told the Daily Graphic, that the number of tourists that used to visit the facility have dwindled as a result of deterioration of facilities at the site. “Some tourists would in the past come over to camp and what nature have in store for them but today, the facilities we have here cannot host them.” He said. He said apart from camping, the sites also offers great opportunities for hiking, bird watching, wildlife spotting at night and interacting and dancing to the music of the local musicians. He believes resources the centre will bring life to the area and give the youth and town folk some economic reliefs. Kulungungu Bomb site A memorial that stands at this site by way of a statue to depict the bomb attempt to assassinate Ghana's first President Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in August 1962 is also in ruins. The memorial, made from cement has the face of the first president removed. Kulungungu is located eastern corner of Ghana's border with Burkina Faso. In 1962, Dr. Nkrumah en route to Accra from signing an accord with the President of Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) for the construction of the hydroelectric project on the Volta, suffered an assignation attempt. A bomb was planted and blasted at a village school, where he made a short stopover. The bomb blast killed a young school child and injured others. Today, even as September 21, has been declared Founders Day, some community members are advocating that a museum and a library of sort exhibiting relics of Dr. Nkrumah could be built to preserve the memory of the late President. Naa Gbewaa Shrine, Pusiga Once a lively tourist haven in the Bawku Municipality, the shrine alongside all receptive facilities and some other structures even look as though they were never used. In 2004, the then Ministry of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City constructed a 490-million cedi Restoration Centre at the legendary Naa Gbewaa shrine. The facilities, a reception, a café, a souvenir shop, a bar and toilets, sitting lots, two wall fences, one for immediate protection of the shrine and the other to prevent illegal entry, were all intended to boost the tourism attractions in the area. But sad to say, my recent visit to the site revealed that the site is in ruins and will need a serious relook to attract domestic and foreign tourists. Woriyanga Mosques This town in the Garu-Tempane District hosts an ancient Sudanese architecture mosque akin to the famous Laribanga mosque. The facility has not received that much attention. The mosque although still in use by the local community needs some renovation to prevent it from crumbling. Ghana Tourism Authority Response. In an interview with the acting Regional Manager of the GTA, Mr. Hakeem Ishmael, said development activities at tourist attractions in the region are dependent on community input, local workmanship, and communal labour. He said the lack of investment in the tourism sector in the region by District and Municipal Assemblies was inhibiting the growth of the tourism sector in the region. He said if assemblies should adopt and pump resources to develop the available sites, GTA will play the lead role in marketing and promoting the sites to both domestic and foreign visitors and thereby contribute to raising funds and helping redress the poverty level of the region “The attractions are community owned, we believe that if the assemblies can adopt these and invest in them, it will go a long way to open up their districts. Our Municipal and District Assemblies must take ownership of the site and work in collaboration with the people to bring development to the area.” He said. Alhaji Hakeem noted that proper development of tourist sites has the potential to create jobs for the local people and at the same time open up the development of the area and therefore urged the district assemblies to embrace such initiatives in their localities. Assembly’s Response The District Coordinating Director of the Garu-Tempane District Assembly, Alhaji Abdulai Abubakar acknowledged the need for Municipal and District Assemblies to take active interest in developing tourist destinations in their localities developed acknowledged that such a move has a huge potential to helping the attracting tourism and its accompanying rippling socioeconomic effects. Touching on the Woriyanga Sudanese style mosque which is within his jurisdiction, he promised that assembly will commission further research and properly document the history behind the attractions within his jurisdiction in order to market the area. He advised the people to take advantage of the development government has initiated to acquire skills in basketry, designing of crafts, smocks and other traditional art so that when the project takes off they would be in the position to do business with the people who would visit the area. Conclusion Indeed, the Upper East Region has enormous tourist attractions. If well harnessed, it could help address the poverty situation of the people. It is in this vain that Municipal and District Assemblies must put the development of these attractions their development agenda to harness them for income generation. -End- Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Bolga Ghatel Ladies drop vital points in penultimate encounter with Ash Town Ladies

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Bolgatanga Ghatel Ladies were held to a one all drawn game by Ash Town Ladies in their penultimate match of the Northern sector Women's League game played at the Bolgatanga Stadium last Sunday. Adama Alhassan put the hosts into the lead in the 27th minutes from a powerfully taken free kick from the outside of the 18 yard box but Ash Town Ladies secured an equalizer through Kate Adu Agyemann in the 54th minute. Tried as the host did to earn a victory, the visitors put up a fierce resistance forcing the game to end one goal apiece. The outcome of the game did not go down well with supporters of the home team. In deed, a section of the supporters even before the referee could end the game invaded the pitch on one occasion to attack the referee after disagreeing with a call against Ghatel Ladies but the timely intervention by policemen on duty and the chairman of the Referees Association of the Upper East Region,Dawoud Ouedraogo who went in to shield the referee from being harassed. Coach of Bolga Ghatel Ladies Sofo Abdul Amin in a post match interview said he was looking forward to collecting all three points at stake in their match with the visitors before proceeding away to play Prison Ladies in their last match. He said the draw against Ashtown Ladies was unfortunate but also decried output of the referee on the day. He was optimistic that the team will do well in their last game with Prison Ladies who won the first leg 2-0, with the hope of avoiding a play-off to determine which side joins teams to be relegated. The team that finishes bottom in either of the two sectors- Northern and Southern - after the season will be automatically relegated while the second from bottom sides will compete in a one-off fixture to determine which side joins the two other relegated sides. END