Upper Presbytery of Presbyterian Church of Ghana calls for calm on labour front

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Chairman of the Upper Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Rev. Esmond Wasau Nagba has noted with deep concern the current spate of upheavals in the labour front and appealed to all aggrieved labour unions to rescind their strike and resume work. “Clearly the contentions revolve around wage related disagreements. Every worker has a set of expectations regarding fairness in remunerations. However, the disagreement normally surrounds fairness, accuracy or otherwise and certain times the delay which often leads to eroded financial value.” He said. Speaking to the press on a communiqué issued by the Upper Presbytery of the church at the end of its third Presbytery Conference held at Gambaga between April 13 to 17, this year, Rev Nagba urged the government, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and other stakeholders to demonstrate their willingness in ending this spate of labour unrest through a demonstration of commitment to agreements and rulings at various negotiations for a involving labour unions. The Upper Presbytery covers the three political regions, namely the Upper East, Upper West and parts of the Northern Regions, specifically, the West and East Mamprusi District Assemblies as well as the Bunkprugu / Yunyoo Districts. While calling on government to play its role, the church also appealed to labour unions not to resort to entrenched positions but allow due process involving negotiations, adding that “Let us all remember that all parties are serving the supreme interest of Mother Ghana”. On the current energy crisis, Rev. Nabga said the conference observed that the nationwide crisis involving inadequate and inconsistent supply of power has brought untold hardships to both domestic and industrial users who depend on power for productivity, profit and survival. “We wish to acknowledge that our sources of power are largely natural and God endowed. It is the management of it that is delivered through the instrumentality of human agents and government entities. While commending government for extension works at the Aboadze Terminal Plant to boost the power capacity, we wish to urge government to refrain from misrepresentation of facts and realities surrounding the issues of the power crisis for political expediency. A similar appeal goes to users of electricity to cut down on wasteful usage and to become power conserver sensitive.” He said. The church appealed to the government to find lasting solutions to the energy crises in the country. It also admonished the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Volta River Authority (VRA) to bring more efficiency in their operations On Peace and Security, the Presbytery commended all Ghanaians for the generally peaceful reactions to the outcome of the 2012 general elections. They particularly commended the leadership of the two main political parties for resorting to the courts for solutions to the disagreements surrounding the elections and pledging to abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court. The church urged all parties to remain calm while the justices of the Supreme Court execute due diligence to bring the matter to a rest. Rev. Nagba also bemoaned recent pockets of inter-ethnic and Chieftaincy related violence notably in Nakpanduri ad Yendi recently and urged the key actors, residents and security agencies in these locations to refrain from the use of violence and rather resort to dialogue and other peaceful means in seeking solutions to all associated grievances. The Communiqué also touched on the recent controversies surrounding aspects of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) initiatives and urged all key actors and beneficiaries to be sincere and ensure that this initiative is de-politicized and be allowed to be the pro-programme that is was meant to with persons in the beneficiary areas from economic misery to some level of economic liberation. The Communiqué also acknowledged government’s effort at ensuring efficient management of the National Health Insurance Scheme by introducing the capital system on a pilot basis and also intention of the introduction of verification system to check over-billing of client by the health providers. It said concerns raised by well-meaning Ghanaians concerning the efficient management of the scheme must be taken seriously to make it the pro-poor scheme that it is meant to be. -End- Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

POTAG leadership shoots down strike call by Kumasi branch

The leadership of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) has described the intended strike declared by the Kumasi chapter of the association as illegal, since the national congress of POTAG has not sanctioned any such action. The Kumasi Polytechnic branch of POTAG has threatened to embark on an industrial action on May 3, 2013 over unresolved conditions of service of its members, but in a sharp rebuttal, the General Secretary of POTAG, Mr. Oswald Atiga, told the Daily Graphic that no such decision was arrived at by POTAG at its congress at the Accra Polytechnic about two weeks ago. “At no point did congress mandate any chapter or the national POTAG to go on strike,” he said. Mr. Atiga, who is a lecturer at the Bolgatanga Polytechnic, said although the Chairman of the Kumasi Polytechnic branch of POTAG, Mr Edmond Peprah, had suggested a strike during the Accra congress, it was rejected by the other nine chapters. Members of the Kumasi chapter of POTAG accused the national leadership of failing to defend the cause of polytechnic teachers but rather appeared to be speaking for the government with regard to negotiations on category two allowances. Mr Atiga said the POTAG leadership strongly and vehemently rejected “this baseless accusation by the Kumasi chairman”. He said contrary to the accusation by the Kumasi chapter, the leadership of POTAG was in touch with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to speed up the convening of a second meeting on category two allowances, adding that the “issue of strike is not on the cards for now”. Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh http://graphic.com.gh/Education/potag-leadership-shoots-down-strike-call-by-kumasi-branch.html

7 Communities abolish practice of killing infants with deformities(Front Page, April 29, 2013. D/G)

The age-old traditional practice of killing children born with deformities came to an end on Saturday in seven communities in the Kasena-Nankana West and East districts in the Upper East Region. Making a proclamation to end the practice at a grand durbar at Sirigu, the communities, led by their chiefs, resolved to hand over those who might continue with the tradition to the police to face the law. The communities are Kandiga, Manyoro, Mirigu, Nabango, Natugnia, Sirigu and Yua. The decision to end the practice was the result of 12 years of public education and advocacy, led by Afrikids Ghana, a child rights non-governmental organisation in Bolgatanga. Until recently, children born with disabilities or deformities in those communities were regarded as spirit children or outcasts. They were, therefore, killed by people described as “concoction men” who administered poisonous herbs to the babies, otherwise the babies could bring calamities on their families. At a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of the seven communities at Sirigu, the Paramount Chief of Kandiga, Naba Henry Amenga-Etego, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, said for many years many innocent children had become victims of that dehumanising practice. “We have lived with this practice for many years but it is a joy that we did not remain in this belief but did all we could to bring an end to it. No child should suffer any form of abuse as a result of whatever circumstances he or she is born with. “The rights of all children should be respected by all. Children who, in one way or another, are already living with deformities should be given the needed care and love by their parents and other people who deal with them. “We will allow the law to deal with anybody who still goes ahead to engage in the practice,” Naba Amenga-Etego declared. As part of efforts to stop the practice, the “concoction men” have been mobilised to form an association to provide an avenue for them to be educated and trained on the need to protect the rights of children born with deformities. Also, Afrikids has formed 60 child rights clubs in 60 schools in the project area to contribute to the education of community members on the need to stop the practice. Additionally, over 400 women have been empowered through micro-financing and awareness raising activities, while regular community activities are held to celebrate and promote child rights. These activities include annual football tournaments and festivals involving assembly men and women, as well as traditional leaders. The Director of Afrikids Ghana, Mr Nicholas Kumah, said what culminated in the bold declaration to end the practice, which was motivated by superstition, began with the realisation of the need to change the local mind set. He said Afrikids was also involved in the direct rescue and resettlement of the families of over 67 children affected by the spirit-child phenomenon or severe health and disability problems. “One major achievement is how one child, Paul Apowida, who was accused of being a spirit child and was given infanticide, fought for his life and survived. Today, Apowida is a rifleman in the British Army,” he said. Mr Kumah said the grand declaration marked the end of advocacy on the spirit-child phenomenon. “What this means is that if anyone is caught in the act of accusing a child of being a spirit child and administering infanticide to that child, he will be made to face the full rigours of the law,” he said. Naba Amenga-Etego acknowledged the role of Afrikids, stressing that since the intervention, the people had seen tremendous improvement in the lives of rescued and vulnerable children. “There are many visible examples of children who were accused but are now living. Some are even in schools or learning some skills. A classic example is Paul Apowida who is in the British Army,” he stressed. He said for the past four years no child had suffered or been killed in the name of spirit child in any of the communities. The Chief of Sirigu, Naba Akwara Adumbire, called on the government to, as a matter of priority, assist the communities with educational and health facilities to give pregnant women easy access to ante-natal care to help avert deformities in their children. He also appealed for the establishment of a special school in the area to provide opportunities for children with disabilities. The Secretary of the Concoction Men Association (now known as Right to Life Promoters), Mr Cletus Akonzaba, on behalf of his colleagues, thanked Afrikids for the education and training given them. He pledged that henceforth no child would be killed in the name of tradition, stressing that they would lead the fight to report any perpetrator to the law enforcement agencies. To further encourage members of the association to move away from the practice, each of them has been placed on micro-finance schemes to access soft credits to undertake livelihood programmes. Each of them has also received a bicycle, two bags of maize and millet and four ruminants. They have also been signed onto the National Health Insurance Scheme. The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru, lauded the chiefs and people of the area for abandoning the practice. He commended Afrikids Ghana for the intervention and the “concoction men” for fully appreciating the negative effects of the spirit-child phenomenon. He said the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council looked forward to working with such progressive organisations to do away with all forms of abuse. Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh http://graphic.com.gh/General-News/7-communities-abolish-practice-of-killing-infants-with-deformities.html

Threat to stalled Vea Irrigation dam wall project

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Tono The Vea Irrigation Dam Project risk collapse if rehabilitation works is not resuscitated before the this year's raining seasons sets in. Rehabilitation works have stalled on the dam wall project as a results of disagreement between the contractor and some community members of Vea and according to the Vea Irrigation Dam Scheme Mr Joseph Mahama Salifu, if the disagreement is not sorted out immediately for the contractor to return to site, the dam wall, which have developed gullies as a result of a weakened boulders and erosion could give way. Mr Salifu said this when he briefed the Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru and his deputy, Mr Daniel A. Syme during a working visit to the Irrigated Company of Upper Region, (ICOUR) site at Tono in the Kassena-Nankana East Municipality of the Upper East Region. The disagreement on rehabilitation works of dam wall at Vea has been as a result of disagreement between the contractor and some community members including the "Tindana" (Spiritual landowner) over access to some raw materials needed for the rehabilitation of the dam wall. As a result of the disagreement some youth embarked on a demonstration and the police intervention led to the shooting and killing of one of the young men, a university student. The project was awarded to Messrs Eunitack Services Exchange Limited in October 2010 and was expected to be completed in December of 2012. The Vea dam, apart from being an irrigation dam project also serves as a source of raw water intake for potable water treatment and supply to the over one million people in the Bolgatanga Municipality The Upper East Regional Coordinating Council has initiated steps to ensure that the rehabilitation works does not unduly delay but it appears the interventions haven't succeeded At Tono, the Scheme Manager Mr. Sebastian Bagina said some of the serious impact of the Toni project is seen in the improved livelihoods of the farmers within the project area. Today, we can see that more of our farmers are able acquire property and send this ward to school even up to the university level. He added that the community are also able to access fresh vegetables and this has led to improvement of nutritional status and also contributed to food security in the region. The project have also boosted employment as a number of youth are gainfully employed. He said a total of 1,500 out of the total of 2490 hectares of land for available are put under cultivation annually. he explained that the remain land is not utilized because those fields and the canals have become weak while others are under rehabilitation. He said in spite of some gains made, the project suffers some challenges, among which are the worsening drains and road infrastructure leading to the site. He said between the year 2007 and 2009, the Tono scheme witnessed a major rehabilitation of the main gravity system which has been in operation for the past 30 years. Mr. Bagina said the challenge now is with the secondary canals, that is the lower level canals which is impeding food production. Another challenge he said is the lack of appropriate machinery to aid land preparation, especially,considering the wet nature of the land and appealed to the government for assistance. The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru said the initial visit was to familiarize himself with the project and also strategize with management on what steps to take to resolve them so as to boost food production in the region. "We believe agriculture can contribute so much to job creation. As a social Democratic Party, one of our core pillars is the development of the human capital so whatever we as RCC can do to ensure that the two scheme work effectively and efficiently," Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru said. -end- writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Clean environment remained the anti dote to the spread of malaria parasites

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Executive Director of the Anglican Diocesan and Relief Organization(ADDRO), Rt. Rev. Dr. Jacob Ayeebo has advised Ghanaians to have a healthy environment, stressing that a clean environment remained the anti dote to the spread of malaria parasites. In a message to mark World Malaria Day which fell on April 25, 2013, Rt. Rev Ayeebo said apart from maintaining a clean environment, all must ensure that they sleep under Long Lasting Insecticide Bed Nets (LLINs) at all times, drain out stagnant waters and frequently desilt choked gutters in neighborhoods. "Where possible use mosquito repellents creams and anti-mosquito sprays at your sleeping places. But most important, see early and appropriate malaria treatment and complete your malaria drug dosage, “he said. The theme for this year's celebration "Invest in the future, Defeat Malaria". Speaking on the issues, Rt. Rev Ayeebo said in Ghana, malaria is a major public health concern. "The devastating impact of the disease on the Heath, economic and social lives of people in the country and the world cannot be underestimated." He said Rt Rev. Ayeebo, who is also the Bishop of the Tamale Diocese of the Anglican Church, said an estimated 3.5 million people get infected with malaria yearly in the country. Nearly 20,000 children die from the disease every year stressing that 25 per cent of these deaths are children under the age of five years. The Executive Director said since 2006, the ADDRO has been a very active partner in the fight against Malaria in six regions of Ghana namely, Upper East, Upper West, Northern, Eastern, Ashanti and Western Regions. He said ADDROs main focus is reaching districts and communities in these regions with malaria prevention and control interventions. These include; informing, educating, and communicating anti malaria messages and distributing long lasting insecticide bed nets to communities. He said from the year 2006 to 2009, ADDRO distributed about 770,000 long lasting insecticide bed nets to children under five years and pregnant women in the six regions in which ADDRO operates. According to him, in the year 2010, ADDRO teamed up with other stakeholders in the fight against malaria in an innovative campaign dubbed "hang-up and door-to-door campaign". These included the Ghana Health Service, UNICEF, UNICEF, National Malaria Control Programme, Nets for Life and Prompt Ghana. "The aim of the campaign was to motivate people to effectively hang and sleep under LLINs. An estimated 800,000 households were reached in the campaign in the Upper East, Upper West, Northern and Western Regions, while 4.6 million nets were distributed in the six regions that ADDRO operates in" "Our community health agents and peers are working extremely hard to ensure that communities have access to these nets and many other malaria intervention packages to stay healthy and alive." He said Rt. Rev Ayeebo said there is enough evidence that the fight against malaria can be won if partners collaborate efficiently on community, local, national, regional as well as international levels and therefore appealed to their partners such as the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Episcopal Relief and Development, Nets for Life to sustain an increasing financial and other forms of support to help improve the health of the under-privileged people in the several communities in Ghana. -End- benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Melcom opens Bolga branck(GRAPHIC Business, Tuesday, April 23-29, 2013 Page 12)

Melcom, Ghana’s largest retail chain store has opened a new branch at Bolgatanga adjacent the Ghana Commercial Bank on the Commercial Street to serve people in the community. The Bolgatanga branch, which is the first in the Upper East Region, will cater for the household needs of the people of Bolgatnga and other districts in the region as it sells various categories of products ranging from appliances, household and Kitchen wears, gift items, luggage, furniture and electronics. Managers of the branch told the Graphic Business that the official inauguration will take place on Thursday, April 25, 2013. But even before then, the two-storey block have a crowed of shoppers from all over the region since the shop opened for business on Thursday April 18, 2013 ahead of the official inauguration. Officials will not comment on operations of the branch until the official inauguration but some shoppers who spoke to the Graphic Business said the establishment of the branch in the region will offer competitive shopping experience and also reduce the stress customers go through to travel to Tamale to buy products of Melcom. While some shoppers have hailed the opening the branch at Bolgatanga other small shop owners who deal in similar products fear the opening of Melcom in town will offer stiff competition considering the small size of the market. “My concern with the opening of the new Melcom shop is that as a well known brand, it will obviously affect our businesses as most customers will be attracted to it. We welcome them all the same” said Hajia Memunatu Yahaya, who deal in household items. -end- writer's email benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Wulugu health centre abandoned(D/G April 23, 2013 Back Page)

http://graphic.com.gh/General-News/wulugu-health-centre-abandoned.html A community health centre built by the West Mamprusi District Assembly at Wulugu as far back as 2009 is gradually deteriorating, having been abandoned since it was completed. The facility, funded through the District Wide Assistance Programme (DWAP), was completed in 2008 and handed over to the District Health Management Team, (DHMT) in 2009. It was intended to address the health needs of the people in and around Wulugu, near Walewale. Work on an adjourning staff quarters is also at a standstill, while the main health centre has developed serious cracks as a result of it not being put to use. The facility will require huge sums of money to renovate if ever the building is to be put to good use in future. This came to light at a stakeholders forum held at Walewale by the Millennium Village Project. Participants, including heads of decentralised departments, politicians, Members of Parliament (MPs) for the Walewale and Yagaba / Kubori constituencies, Mr Ussif Mustapha and Dr Sagre Bambangi respectively, bemoaned the fact that such a critical project had been abandoned ever since it was handed over. The Team Leader of the Millennium Villages Project, Mr David Sumbo, told the forum that "when you have such an abandoned facility, it becomes difficult to approach development partners for more resources to carry out infrastructural development" He, therefore, urged the district health management team to quickly put in place measures for the immediate use of the facility to address the health needs of the people. A representative of the DHMT, Walewale, Mr Dadia Stephen, suggested that they had not been given the technical support by way of logistics and equipment to facilitate the use of the facility. "The DHMT is not well resourced; we are only implementing the policies of the Ministry of Health and we don't buy equipment, we also do not have the requisite staff to man the facility," he said. The two MPs at the forum condemned the situation and called for a tripartite meeting of the district assembly, the MPs and the DHMT to resolve all the challenges for the health centre to be put to use. Writer's email: benjamin.glover@grahic.com.gh http://graphic.com.gh/General-News/wulugu-health-centre-abandoned.html

UDS Navrongo Campus auditorium needs furniture

The Dean of the Navrongo Campus of the University for Development Studies, Dr Kazeem Gbolagade, has expressed concern over the delay in the provision of furniture for the newly constructed auditorium of the institution. He said the delay, coupled with the lack of basic infrastructure such as a computer and modern science laboratory, and an administration block, among others, was affecting teaching. Dr Gbolagade said this at a meeting with the Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru, his Deputy, Mr Daniel A. Syme, and other members of faculty at Navrongo during the minister’s working visit. The Dean said the auditorium project was initiated during the tenure of the late President John Evans Atta Mills and inaugurated recently but could not be put to good use because the funding agencies had not been able to provide the necessary funds for the procurement of furniture to enable the full utilisation of the structure. Dr Gbolagade also complained about the lack of a modern science laboratory in the school and said students studying science had to sometimes fall on nearby senior high schools such as Navrongo Senior High school for laboratory materials and chemicals to conduct experiments. He said the university’s computer laboratory would have to be expanded, while work on the road network on campus would have to be expedited to bring relief to members of the university community. He also called for funding for the construction of a wall around the campus to enhance security. “We know that this government is doing a lot for this campus but we want to believe more can be done to raise the image of this institution,” he added. The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru, praised the management and students of the university for the good work they were doing under difficult and challenging conditions and gave an assurance that his administration would do all it could to help create the right environment for effective academic work on the campus. He said the government took human resource development seriously and it would work closely with the UDS management to evolve the right strategies to help harness and develop the potentials of the youth who passed through the university. The President of the UDS Students Representative Council, Mr Francis Ampeh, said the Navrongo Campus was facing acute shortage of student hostels and appealed to government and other stakeholders such as SSNIT and GETFUND to invest in that sector to ameliorate the accommodation challenges confronting students. A lecturer in Economics of the University, Madam Gloria Bob Millar, appealed to the regional minister to use his capacity as Minister of State in Charge of Human Resource Development and Scholarships to secure scholarship for brilliant students at UDS since most students have demonstrated the potential to succeed with little support. Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh http://graphic.com.gh/Education/uds-navrongo-campus-auditorium-needs-furniture.html

90% health institution admission for locals

Health training institutions in the Upper East Region have been asked to by a policy directive to give 90 per cent of admission to citizens of the region. The directive issued by the regional health directorate has also reminded all health trainees, their families and the general public that the professional training of the nurse is incomplete without the one-year mandatory orientation, indicating, “Henceforth, we do not expect to receive the countless requests for release of orientation nurses to Greater Accra, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions from any quarters. Any orientation nurse contravening the policy directive shall have the name deleted from the payroll as having vacated post and also [not be] certified for appointment by the Ghana Health Service.” The Regional Director of Health Service, Dr John Koku Awoonor-Williams, said this in an address read on his behalf at the joint matriculation of health trainees in the Upper East Region held at Zuarungu. In all, 649 students were admitted to the five health training institutions in the region. The Bolgatanga Nurses Training College admitted 156 students, 99 students were admitted to the Bawku Presbyterian Nurses Training College, while 137 students made it to the Bolgatanga Midwifery College. One hundred and sixty-four students were admitted to the Navrongo Community Health/Nurses Training School (CHNTS), while 93 students made it to the Zuarungu Health Assistants Training Schools. Effective health service delivery in the region is seriously being hampered as a result of unfavourable doctor-patient and nurse-patient ratio. This, coupled with the fact that a number of trainees after their training programmes in the region put in request to leave the region rather than stay on to serve their mandatory one-year orientation in the region, is impeding health service delivery. Dr Awoonor-Williams said despite the inadequate school infrastructure and lack of tutors, all the health training schools in the region had consistently placed among the top five, according to the Ministry of Health school league table. “We can, however, do far better if we all support the region’s drive to improve the school infrastructure, student discipline and quality of practical clinical training,” he said. The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru, urged all municipal and district assemblies in the region to continue to show commitment in the sponsorship of health professionals from their respective municipalities and districts as a way of attracting health professionals such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists to their districts. He said the government would continue to do everything possible to provide infrastructural facilities and logistics to make life comfortable for both students and staff. He urged all trainees to be disciplined in their course of study and to abide by all rules and regulations to enable them to attain good academic results. The acting Registrar of the Nurses and Midwives Council of Ghana, Mr Felix Nyante, who administered the matriculation oath, advised the trainees not to use strikes and boycotts to fight their cause, especially for wage increment, after they had passed out. He also urged them to avoid demonstrations, unrests and other negative tendencies and asked them to be focused and purposeful to successfully complete their courses. Mr Nyante said they belonged to the category of essential services providers, and noted that that required commitment and dedication to duty by exhibiting love, empathy and sympathy towards patients. He bemoaned a recent event where some students of the Bolgatanga NMTC sued the school authorities over some issues and another batch of 19 students of the Navrongo CHNTS who caused a riot in their school over some administrative measures put in place by the school authorities. “While it is within your rights to seek redress in court as and when it becomes necessary, I implore all students to endeavour to make use of the opportunities offered by the organisational structure in your schools for addressing your concerns,” he said. Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover Writer's email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh http://graphic.com.gh/Education/90-health-institution-admission-for-locals.html

Children’s Ward of Bolgatanga Regional Hospital Renovated (D/G, May 2, 2013 Page 23)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Children Ward of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital in the Upper East Region has undergone renovation to enhance health care delivery for children. The block which was hitherto described as a “eyesore” received fresh painting, while broken louver blades were replaced. Besides, metal beds which were rusting away were sprayed while new mattress, curtails and bed sheets were provided for the facility. Eastwood Anaba Ministries, a religious organization headquartered in Bolgatanga which carried out the renovation as apart of their corporate social responsibility, also provided as well furnished playroom to aid in the recuperation of children admitted to the ward. Rev. Mrs Rosemond Anaba, Vice President of the Eastwood Anaba Ministries who spoke at a brief handing over ceremony at the regional hospital in Bolgatanga said every ministry or church is a product of the goodwill of the society in which it operates. She said generally, the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital has miraculously survived the lack of adequate resources and personnel for so many years and as a ministry, they felt is necessary to step in and help the hospital take proper care of the patients, especially children. “I will want to commend management for doing so well even in the midst of little resources and with this humble effort, we hope it will go a long way to alleviate the pain and suffering of the children admitted here and make life more comfortable and help them recuperate faster than expected,” She said Mrs Anaba said a total of GH c 12, 139.50 was expended on the renovation of the facility. This included, provision of a playroom, repainting of the structure, artworks to make it more child friendly, replacement of broken louver blades and mosquito nets, provision of 40 pieces of mattress, 50 bed sheets and pillow cases as well spraying of beds. The Medical Director of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Dr Peter Baffoe on behalf of management expressed gratitude to Eastwood Anaba Ministries for the gesture and acknowledged the role the parent church, Fountain Gate International has played by sharing love and prayer with in-patients. “This tells us that we have not been forgotten by the society despite our deprivation and lack of resources both human and infrastructure, “he said and expressed the hope that t other organizations will emulate the gesture and collaborate with the hospital to provide efficient and quality health cares services to the public. -end- Pix: Rev. Mrs. Rosemond Anaba, Vice President of the Eastwood Anaba Ministries, (left) presenting some items to Madam Florence Alentis, who is in charge of the Children Ward, Bolgatanga Hospital Rev. Mrs. Rosemond Anaba, Vice President of the Eastwood Anaba Ministries cutting the tape to commission the playroom at the children’s ward of Bolgatanga Hospital Rev. Mrs. Rosemond Anaba, Vice President of the Eastwood Anaba Ministries and Madam Florence Alentis, who is in charge of the Children Ward, Bolgatanga Hospital inspecting the facilities inside the playroom Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Pillion rider crushed to death

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga A young lady in her early twenties was on Sunday night at around 7pm crushed to death after an articulated truck with registration number GR 4871 X loaded with goods ran over her on the Zuarungu-Bolgatanga road. The deceased, who name the police, gave as Adongo Azure was a pillion rider and was not in a helmet when the accident occurred. They were moving from Zuarungu towards Bolgatanga when they collided with another unregistered Apsonic motor bicycle which was moving in the opposite direction. According to the Regional Commander of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP), Mr Daniel Kwao Teye, said the unregistered Apsonic motor bicycle, was overtaking the articulated truck but in the process collided with the other motor cycle and in the process throwing the decease under the moving Bawku bound truck. The truck crushed the decease head and the remains have since been deposited at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital Mortuary, pending further investigation by the police. The Upper East Regional has for the first quarter of the year 2013 recorded 14 deaths due to road accidents compared to `15 death recorded for the same period in 2012. ASP Teye said between April 1 to 15 this year, three deaths has been recorded on the roads, adding that numerous educational campaigns including the need for riders to wear crash helmets have gone unheeded. He however gave the assurance that the police will not relent in its efforts including effecting arrest and processing offenders for courts to curb such needless deaths. He also urged politicians, chiefs and opinion leaders to give the police the freehand to operate as per the law and stop interceding and pleading for road traffic offenders after they have been arrested by the police. -End- Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Pwalugu Police Academy to receive facelift

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Pwalugu Police Training School in the Upper East Region is to under go a major facelift and refurbishment that will lead to the transformation and establishment of a specialized Police Training School. Commissioner of Police, (COP) Mr John Kudalor, Director General in charge of Operations announced this during a working visit to the Upper East Regional Police Training School at Pwalugu in the Talensi District. A statement issued and signed by Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP), Mr Thomas Yaw Agbanyo, Upper East Regional Police Public Affairs Officer and copied to the Daily Graphic quoted COP Kudalor as explaining that the decision to transform the Pwalugu Police Training School in region into a Specialized Police Training School is to train police personnel in line with the professional standards of policing in the world. It further quoted COP Kudalor as saying that the Pwalugu facility was chosen for such purpose because of it remoteness, the terrain and the robust nature of the area to meet the changing and challenging needs of the Ghana Police Service. He said feasibility study for the school including the renovation and reshaping of the existing facilities to meet the requirement that would be needed for the establishment of the specialized training school will soon be carried out. COP Kudalor said after the refurbishment of the existing facilities, personnel who will be passing though the institution will receive training in riot control, public order management, and first aid to victims of accidents, traffic management and operational and defensive driving. He said in addition, the Formed Police Unit of the service and the Armored Car Squadron of the Ghana Police Service will also be trained at the school. Other area of study will include snipers, anti terrorism study, negotiators, mediators and rescuers of kidnappers as a way of meeting the requirements of modern day policing. He reiterated the fact that all these arrangements is meant to meet the changing and challenging trends of policing which is the best practice across the world. During his tour of the region, COP Kudalor addressed the current recruits on admission at the school and told them discipline formed the core of policing and that any untoward act on the part of the recruits, would not be countenanced. He urged them to take their training seriously in order to become better policemen and women in the future. COP Kudalor was accompanied by Commander of the Reformed Police Force, Chief Superintendent Mr Hamza Yakubu, the second in Command of the Rapid Deployment Force, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Alex Adjevie, the second in Command of the Reformed Police Force, Superintendent of Police, Mr Ackom and the Staff Officer of the Director General, Operations, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr Turkson. -End- Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Improving tourism holds the key to eradicating poverty

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Kenneth Ashigbey has called on the New Regional Minister for the Upper East Region, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru to tap into the tourism potentials of the region and evolve strategies to develop them into vehicles of eradicating poverty. He stressed that if well planned, most of the tourist attractions, such as the Paga Crocodile Pond, the Pikoro Slave Camp and the numerous attractions in the region, could provide employment and business opportunity for the various stakeholders, including the host communities. Mr Ashigbey said this during an interaction with the Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru and his Deputy, Mr Daniel Syme as part of a his working visit to Upper East Region He was accompanied by the General Manager, Newspapers, Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo, and the the Zonal Manager for the three northern regions, Madam Mahama Memuna. Mr Ashigbey who had earlier toured the Paga Crocodile Pond, said a lot more could be done to derived maximum benefits from such a facility.”We should be able to transform a place such as Page, the adjoining slave camp and many other destinations into a tourism experience. It should be possible to revamp the area to enhance tourism. How to we drive domestic tourism, when the place is poorly organized?’ he asked. “Graphic is ready to partner the Regional Coordinating Council, through publicity to harness the potential that exist to lift our people out of poverty. We cannot allow our people to wallow in poverty, when we have an abundance of resources that can be tapped into”, he said. Mr. Ashigbey said one other area GCGL is committed to is the area of education and to that end has instituted the Junior Graphic newspaper to inculcate the habit of reading in children, He said the product is also targeted at improving on the writing skills of children. He called on the Regional Coordinating Council, Municipal and District Assemblies as well as other stakeholders in the region to subscribe to the Junior Graphic newspaper for distribution to deprived schools across the region, “of the many challenges most schools in deprive areas face is the non-availability of textbooks and teachers, among others and the newspaper is so designed to provide a serve as a source of learning material for school children in their academic work. He said GCGL in partnership with its suppliers of newsprints have identified three deprived school in the region who are supplied with copies the Junior Graphic weekly and urged the MMDA to get onboard to improve on the standard of education. The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru lauded the suggestions by Mr Ashibgey and noted that such a move would certainly improve on the lives of the people. “This region has a lot of potential but if we do not sell our stories, how do we attract the right partners to support our drive for development,” he said. Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru and his Deputy, Mr Syme were full of praise for the level of professionalism, credibility, balance, fairness and accuracy GCGL exhibits in all its brands and urged management to keep improving its standards. He said Daily Graphic must also increase its coverage of rural areas by highlighting the many developmental challenges that confronts the people. Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru observed that Graphic lacks some basic resources in the region, such as the absence of a duty vehicle to enhance independent newsgathering as well as late arrival of products of the company into the region and called on management to address it, to which the MD oblige assuring that the problems will be resolved immediately. While in the Upper East Region, Mr Ashigbey interacted with vendors and agents as well as presented awards to those that have distinguished themselves. He also held discussions with the Rector of Bolgatanga Polytechnic, Dr Mba Atinga and other Senior Manager of the institution, Bolgatanga Branch Manager of the Ghana Commercial Bank and the Headmistress of Aningazanga Primary School, Madam Felicia Kanton, one of the schools benefitting from the free distribution of the Junior Graphic. -end- Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

B-Poly initiates steps to tackle post harvest losses

Story and Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover Agriculture in Ghana in general and Upper East Region in particular is faced with a lot of challenges, which seriously limit food production capacity. Post-harvest loses, due largely to the absence of viable storage and processing facilities, are some of these challenges which have impoverished farmers and dampened their enthusiasm for farming. To address this challenges, the Bolgatanga Polytechnic in the Upper East Region has taken a thoughtful approach to minimize post-harvest loses and make for food availability all-year-round. The Rector of Bolgatanga Polytechnic, Dr. Mba Atinga who disclosed this during an interaction with Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL), Mr Kenneth Ashigbey said the institution is sourcing for funds to activate the project. Mr Kenneth Ashigbey, who was accompanied by the General Manager, Newspapers, Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo, and the Zonal Manager for the three northern regions, Madam Memunatu Mahama, was on a working visit to the region. Dr Atinga said although people are producing foods a lot more are lost because we do not have the facilities to preserve and store them and it was to address some of these challenges that the polytechnic was designing such as programme to help find solutions to such problems. “We are concern about the lives of our people. We want to teach our people how to preserve our crops building on traditional knowledge,” he said. He added that the polytechnic is also looking various ways at promoting local dishes, such as dawadawa, water melon etc which he said were gradually "vanishing" from many homes in Ghana. Mr Ashigbey lauded the Management of B-Poly for the interventions being put in place which he said will go a long of developing people through research and suggested to them to partner media institutions to make those research findings available to the public by getting aspects of them published in simple languages to touch and improve the lives of the people and contribute towards the development of the nation. “We at Graphic are ready to avail our platforms to you and by working closely with our journalists, we can report on some of your research findings conducted periodically by students and lecturers in the various fields to benefit our people,” Mr Ashigbey said. -End- Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Doctors in UE attend to clients on humanitarian grounds

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga A visit to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital on the first day of a nationwide strike called by the leadership of Doctors and Pharmacists revealed that these health workers were at post rendering services, albeit on humanitarian grounds During a visit of the hospital, almost all the consulting rooms were occupied and clients were seen waiting their turn to see the doctors and physician assistant on duty. The Bolgatanga Regional Hospital as a total of five doctor population and two pharmacists, a situation expects say is far below standard. Some patients at the Out-Patient Department who spoke to the Daily Graphic praised the workers for opting to continue working and supporting health care delivery. “Ours is a peculiar region. We are severally disadvantaged when it comes to the availability of doctors and other critical health workers. I want to believe that is why it becomes so difficult for the few medical doctors here to completely shut their doors to us. We salute them” said Mr Benjamin Nsor at the Out –Patient Department of the Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga, who also indicated he shares in the doctors call for better conditions of service. Another patient, who gave her name as Cynthia said she reported to the hospital with a waist problem but thankfully, she had been seen by a doctor and given the appropriate prescription to receive drugs from the hospital’s pharmacy. He however pleaded to government to ensure that the demands of the health workers are met so that they will continue to serve the people of the region In a related development, the Regional Health Directorate has indicated that some contingency plans are in place to ensure services are not disrupted and minimize the impact on patients should the strike action becomes more intense. The Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. John Koku Awoonor-Williams who said this when the Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru called on him at discussed the effects of the strikes on medical service delivery was optimistic that doctors will continue to see patients who need care. “Honestly in the Upper East Region, even tough, there have been a series of strikes in the past; we have always managed the situation. We have the full understanding and support of the medical team, be they doctors, nurses and pharmacists, mainly due to the critical situation the region finds it self in and we hope to count on that cooperation” he said. He said some of the staff at the regional health directorate are on standby and when the situation becomes critical they will be deployed to support the Medical Superintendents and the Cuban Medical Brigade in the various districts. “For the pharmacists, we are going to relay on pharmacy technicians to support by if the situation becomes too critical, for all OPD cases, we will write prescriptions and ask patients to purchase the drugs outside the facilities while we serve only in patients”, Dr Awoonor-Williams said. He said generally, the region lacks many critical staff of all grades including doctors, nurses midwifes, pharmacists and Technicians. He added that each district hospital is solely manned by a medical superintendent and with the help of the Cuban Medical Brigade and that long term plan for the region put in place a well structured motivational package to attract more medical workers into the region. The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru commended the Regional Health Directorate for being proactive and putting together an action plan to handle the situation during this crisis period. He urged the health authorities not to hesitate to contact the Regional Coordinating Council for any form of support to ensure health care does not grind to a halt while government engage the doctors and pharmacists to address the differences. -End- Benjamin.glover@ygraphic.com.gh

UE regional minster join Muslims in Navrongo for Islamic prayers

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Navrongo The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru on Friday joined the Muslim community in Navrongo for Islamic prayers as part of the national day of prayers and thanksgiving. Addressing worshipped after the service, Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru pledged to work with all persons towards the attainment of government goals for the region. He urged the Muslims clerics and faithfuls to continue seeking the face of Allah to guide the leadership of the country in their governance. Earlier, Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru and his deputy, Mr Daniel A. Syme paid courtesy calls on the traditional rulers of Navrongo and Sandema as part of a programme to introduce themselves and seek their support and partnership towards the governance of the region. during the visits, the regional minister expressed appreciation to the chiefs and people for thieir support which culminated in the victory of the NDC. He promised to work with all irrespective of their religious and ethnic background towards addressing the needs of the region, which he identified as poverty, illiteracy and disease. He also assured the chiefs of an openness in his administration and urge the traditional rulers to feel free to contact him any time of the day so that collectively, they can work towards addressing the development challenges of the region. "With the support of my deputy and your support, we will overcome our major challenges and achieve the targets for which we have been sent here" At the Sandema palace where he was received by Baba Azagsuk Azantilow, the regional minister in responding to a request for the establishment of a college of education in Builsa as part of government's overall vision of creating new colleges of education, said the issue will have to be thoroughly discussed with all stakeholders to arrive at an acceptable decision. The regional minister said he was ready to work with all in the region adding that "even if my tenure in this region is just for a day,I will want to make a loud noise and impact so that one day, people will say during my reign, the region experienced the best of development" He tasked all Municipal and District Chief Executives to submit to his office a list of at least five key campaign promises. Made by the president during his campaign to allow for prioritization and effective roll out by the regional coordinating council towards the improvement of the livelihoods of the people. End Writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Customs appeals for support to move out encroachers of no man's land on the Ghana – Burkina Faso Border at Kulungungu

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Kulungungu Some Ghanaian and other nationals have encroached on the no man's land of the Ghana – Burkina Faso Border at Kulungungu in the Pusiga District of the Upper East Region. The encroachers are said to be illegally using the land located within no man's land on the Ghana side to carry out businesses by constructing permanent houses as well as makeshift huts and sheds there. Traders, who bring in goods, keep these items in their homes and sheds in the no-man’s land and under the cover of darkness, sneak these goods in evading tax payments The Senior Revenue Officer of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Mr Stephen Borbor said activities in the no-man’s-land by the encroachers, impede efforts by the security agencies at checking illegal trade which also deprive the state of the needed revenue. Mr. Borbor therefore appealed to the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council as well as the Pusiga District Assembly to help remove the illegal structures that have sprung up in the border area. He made the appeal at a meeting with the newly appointed Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru and his Deputy, Mr Daniel A. Syme who were on familiarization tour of the area. “Encroachment is rampant on the border, and it is necessary to take the appropriate action now before the situation gets out of hand.”Mr Borbor said He also told the visiting delegation that due to the bad conditions of the road between Bolgatanga through Bawku to Kulungungu which link Ghana to its neighboring land lock countries of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, haulage truck users from Tema Harbour have diverted their routes and this have affected revenue generation. While expressing joy at ongoing work on the Missiga-Kulugungu stretch of the highways, he also appealed to government to fast-track rehabilitation work on the Bolgatanga –Bawku road to help the nation generate revenue which is needed to support national development. On the issue of fuel smuggling, he said anything the CFA appreciates against the Ghana Cedi, the was the propensity of smuggling becomes very high. He said Customs together with other security agencies at the border have intensified its patrols to curb the nefarious activity. However, their efforts are being hampered by the construction of several fuel stations close to the border. “The distance between Missiga nd Kulungungu is abot 11 kilometers. The vehicle populations are also very low yet we have a lot of fuel dumps springing up. We do not need that much of fuel stations. Their presence here is promoting smuggling, “he said. He therefore called on the District Assembly and other agencies involve streamlining the licensing regime for the establishment of fuel station to curb the smuggling of state subsided petroleum products, Also at the meeting were personnel of the Ghana Immigration Service. Mr Samuel Ametsitsi, Assistant Controller of Immigration told the regional minister and his entourage that one major challenge faced by the service is the non use of endorsable documenters by traveler plying that route. This he explained makes it difficult by the service to profile persons who use the entry point at Kulungungu. He suggested that if possible, Ghana Immigration Service should have 100 per cent access control of the border. The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru commended the personnel of the Customs Division, Ghana Immigration Service, Port Health and Disease control their various roles at ensuring that the smugglers did not deny the country of revenue. He promised to work closely with them and the Pusiga District Assembly to collectively find solutions to the myriad of challenges that confront them. He also pledged to tackle the problem of rampant sitting of petrol station close to the countries entry points. The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru and his deputy, Mr Daniel Syme had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Bawku Traditional Area, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II to introduce themselves and assure the chief of readiness to work in partnership with the traditional rulers to help develop the region. Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru stressed the need for peace since without it no meaningful development can take place. “Our common enemy is poverty, illiteracy and disease and we must come together to fight these trio.” He said. Bawku Naba, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II on behalf of the people of Bawku wished the regional minister and his deputy well and pledged to work with the regional minister to ensure the rapid development of the Upper East Region. -End- benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

UE Regional Minister enlist support of chiefs

Story & Pix: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru has sought the support of traditional rulers towards the fulfillment the government’s vision for an accelerated development of the region. He said the government was counting on the co-operation of chiefs to sustain the peace in the region and appealed to chiefs to partner with the government to bring prosperity to the people. Speaking at the palaces of chiefs of Bolgatanga, Zuarungu Tongo, Sakote, Nabdam, and Bongo Traditional Areas, on the first leg of courtesy calls on the chiefs to inform them of his assumption of office, Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru, said the NDC as a social democratic party was committed to improving the wellbeing of the people and as such would not pursue any policy that would undermine the growth of the people. He was accompanied by his deputy, Mr. Daniel Syme, the Regional NDC party chairman, Alhaji Mumuni Bonaba and the Regional Secretary of the NDC, Mr. Donatus Akamugre. He said as traditional rulers, chiefs had a critical role to play in the maintenance of peace in the region and appealed to them to entreat their subjects to foster peace to pave way for development. He said the biggest challenges of the region were poverty illiteracy and disease which he said should be confronted and encouraged the chiefs to partner his administration in its quest to do its best to better the lot of the people. “We have been given the mandate to run this region by the President. Even if our tenure should last for only one month, we would want to make an impact so that future generations would come to see what we were able to achieve. We demand partnership. We need the support of all, be it chiefs, Municipal and District Chief Executives, MPs, the ordinarily citizen from the region in our bid to develop the region. Our doors are open for constructive criticism that will advance the development of the Upper East Region,” he said. At Sakote, the Paramount Chief, Naba Asigri Bewong who is also the President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs commended the Regional Minister and his deputy on their appointment and assured the pair of the support of the chiefs to bring development to the region. He urged Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru to build on the peace efforts initiated by his predecessor, Mr Mark Woyongo in Bawku and other parts of the region to facilitate rapid development. At Nangode, the Paramount Chief at palace of the Nangode Chief, Naaba Kosom Asaga Yelzuya urged government to intervene in the activities miners and the injection of appropriate technology to reduce its effects on the environment. “Unfortunately, we cannot count our gold deposits as one of our blessings. There has been wanton destruction of the land. This has further entrenched poverty as our people are unable to farm on the land” he said. At Bongo, the Bonaba, Salifu Alemyaarum said work on the Bongo-Bolgatanga raod has resumed but appealed to the regional minister to bring pressure to bear on the contractor to speed up work to bring relief to the people. He noted that his area still lack motorable roads particularly within the Bongo township and appealed that since the Regional Minister to prioritize road construction to other parts of the district. The Chief of Bongo appealed to the government to establish a College of Education for the people of Bongo and its surroundings especially since the NDC has already decided to establish new colleges of education as part of its holistic educational policy. On the rehabilitation of the Vea dam which as stalled due to disputes, the Bongo Chief pledged continue to intervene to enable to project continue and save the dam for possible collapse and interrupt the supply of potable water to the people of the region. The Regional Minister and his deputy are scheduled to visit all the 17 paramount chiefs in the region to introduce themselves to them before settling down to conduct the business of coordinating, monitoring and evaluating government polices and programmes geared at lifting the region out of poverty. -End-

Ex-Doe and Chicago entertain fans at Vea

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Ex-Doe and Chicago, the duo who stormed the hip life scene with the Daavi Medekuku hit were one hand on Easter Monday to treat their fans in the Upper East Region to some good entertainment as of the holiday festivities. The venue was the Vea Irrigation Dam gardens and revelers who thronged the party had their monies worth as the rap pair dished out a repertoire of hits from their albums. Ex-Doe and Chicago's music career gained prominence in the 1998 with Daavi Mede kuku song. The pair however went their separate ways but in recent times, hip-life artistes have join forces again with the view of staging a major come back onto the Ghanaian music scene. The Easter Monday Vea jams which was followed up by an after party at the Soul Train night club was perhaps the most patronized holiday activity in Bolgatanga. The duo express appreciation to their fans was the positive response to their act after such a long lay off and assured them of future visits just to entertain them. Other entertainment activities in town were various picnics organized by churches and other identifiable groups like keep fit clubs. From sack racing, to eating competitions, dancing competitions to a dip in the Vea Dam, amongst others, revelers rounded off the long Easter weekend. -End-

Guinea Fowl dialogue: Is there anything more we should know? (Tuesday, April 2,2013 Page 10)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Name the occasion anywhere in northern Ghana-traditional marriages, weddings, funerals, family gathering, picnics etc- and on the menu would be that juicy guinea fowl meat. Be it roasted, steamed or fried, the guinea fowl meat makes a good substitute for any chicken recipe. This and many other reasons, such as the meat being high in protein and low in cholesterol and a good source of vitamin B6, selenium and niacin, make the guinea fowl industry essential. If well harnessed, the industry could transform the lives of millions of people in the three regions of the north. Originally a game bird, but now domesticated and available all year round, the “majestic birds”, as some call them, can be raised allowed to roam free or in confinement. Study An academic research carried out by G.A. Teye and M. Adam of the Department of Animal Science, University for Development Studies, Tamale, from 1999 to 2000 noted that besides it being a source of income and protein, the guinea fowl also plays other important roles in the social life of many tribes in northern Ghana. “They are exclusively used for the annual guinea fowl festival by the Dagombas and the Gonjas. The pure white fowl is used for religious sacrifices and to perform certain funeral rites. Customarily, the Frafras, Dagabas and Builsas use guinea fowl to welcome mothers–in-law,” the study revealed. The objective of the research, conducted among 35 farmers chosen randomly from Damongo, was to identify the constraints faced by farmers so that a scientific study could be carried out for possible solutions. The major constraints observed after the study included high keet (young fowl) mortality, difficulty in sex determination and the lack of a source of quality day-old keets. Other constraints were the lack of quality eggs for hatching, loss of keets to predators, poor housing, leg paralysis and worm infestations. The Asongtaba Intervention My checks in the Upper East Region indicated that despite the fact that the guinea fowl industry could be a way to alleviate poverty among rural households, the guinea fowl production had run on a subsistence level. Identifying the gap in guinea fowl production in the Upper East Region, Asongtaba Cottage Industry and Exchange Programme introduced an Out-grower’s scheme to help train young men and women interested in the venture. It was inaugurated by President John Mahama, then Vice President, in July, 2012. A model farm was constructed at Sumbrungu near Bolgatanga on six plots of land and under a semi-intensive poultry management system. Young men and women who were interested in the guinea fowl business were trained in the production and marketing of the birds. The Chief Executive Officer of Asongtaba Cottage Industry and Exchange Programme, Mr Henry Kangah, told this reporter that the establishment of a guinea fowl out grower programme was aimed at boosting efforts geared towards increasing the nutritional status of the region and to increase the incomes of farmers, especially the youth. “We need to ensure that we can create an environment for them to produce the guinea fowl in such a way that it will attract good market and offer sustainable incomes,” he said. Mr Kangah said the project had targeted to train 2,000 youth within the project catchment area to be trained in collaboration with the National Youth Employment Programme, now Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA). During the launch of the project, it was said that 20 training centres were to be established in the Upper East Region and following that, the project will be replicated in the Northern and Upper West regions. Trainees were to take a two-week orientation programme during which beneficiaries will be given the opportunity to select an area of specialisation along the value chain. The areas included hatching, brooding, feeding, processing of the birds, marketing of the products and processing of the feathers into other value added products. The feathers could be crashed to produce pillows and other products. He said after a six-month training programme, each beneficiary would be supported with start-ups to go into production. President John Mahama, then as Vice President, speaking at the inauguration of the facility, reiterated the fact that guinea fowl meat is not only a delicacy in Ghana, but also in some parts of Europe where the meat is preferred to chicken. He urged the youth to embrace the concept and go into it, adding that if successfully carried out and replicated in the savannah ecological zone, it had the potential to empower the youth and create wealth by exporting it to the international market. Almost a year on, I paid a visit to the guinea fowl model farm project site, which now enjoys some partnership from the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), and it appears that the project is on course, albeit at a slow pace. The Farms Operations Manager, Mr Johnsom Agolmah, said that currently, the facility boasts about 1,100 birds. “We were having about 3,000 birds but we have had to process some for sale,” he said. He maintained that the farm was a model and plans were far advanced to replicate it in each of the SADA operational areas, namely the Upper East, Upper West and Northern Regions, as well as the northern parts of Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions. Similarly, he said each district in the beneficiary regions would get similar farms. He said the project had identified some local farmers to train. At the hatchery, Mr Agolmah showed me two locally manufactured incubators, with the capacity for 1,000 birds but virtually empty at the time of my visit. He said that the birds would start laying eggs in April and that explained why the incubators were not functioning. He was optimistic that the project, when fully in flight, would provide a good avenue for poverty alleviation in the beneficiary districts. The Upper East Region is, no doubt, one of the regions in this country with extreme poverty and with the involvement of SADA in a project such as this, all efforts must be adopted and implemented to achieve the goals set out under this programme. The Controversy The model guinea fowl project made the headlines for either the right or wrong reasons a few days ago, as some MPs demanded full disclosure on why SADA decided to invest GH¢15 million in such a venture. The call and commentaries were made on media platforms, with some describing the project as non-existent and others simply calling it a profligate expenditure. Yes, the amount is colossal and that is why I think the SADA authorities in particular must embrace the call and make available every information needed that will justify why such a massive investment is needed or not for a venture with a potential of contributing to the alleviation of poverty among the rural households in the savannah ecological zone of Ghana.

BUCOBANK STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE RURAL BANKING SYSTEM

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Sandema Builsa Community Bank Branch (BUCOBANK) started operating from Sandema in 1997 with a vision to be the leading rural bank and the centre of excellence for the delivery of efficient and effective micro finance services. Sixteen years down the line the bank says it is alive to its responsibilities of not only encouraging saving habit among people within its catchment area ut also helping its clients to raise capital to start a business venture or expand existing business and also help to easily access credit facilities from the bank. Speaking at the bank’s annual general meeting in Sandema the Board Chairman, Mr Pascal Avabe Ayaric said the bank has over the years strived to provide all stakeholders with cost effective services to justify the reasons for its existence. Mr Ayaric said by close of December 2012, the bank disbursed loans totaling GH c 3.1 million as against GH c2.5 million last year to groups engaged in agriculture, construction, cottage industries, commerce and transport. He added that with the exception of stated capital, the bank also recorded significant improvements in almost all the key areas of operations which led to its being rated 32nd out of 133 Rural and Community Bank nationwide by the Efficiency Monitoring Unit of the ARB Apex Bank by the end of December 2012. He said during the year of during the year under review, the bank spent a total of GH c 3.812 in support of various interventions as part of its corporate social responsibilities and this amount covered support in the areas of education, health, agriculture, sports and culture. In achieving this vision, in the face of growing competition in the banking environment, the Board Chairman said the bank has made provision for the installation of an Automated Teller Machine at its branches to enable customers of the bank access their money at their convenience as well as ease the congestion in the banking halls particularly during pay days. On micro financing, the Board Chairman noted that government’s development agenda continue to see private sector development as the engine of growth with emphasis on small and medium scale business enterprises. To that end, the bank with support from its development partners such as TRIAS, SPEED and CORDIA as well as the Government of Ghana will continue to support its clients with flexible credit schemes to improve on their income generating activities as part of efforts aimed at reducing poverty in its operational area. “Our Credit with Education Scheme has covered almost all the communities in the Builsa North and South Districts. We are expanding our outreach in the Bolgatanga Municipality, Kassena Nankana Municipality, Talensi and Nabdam Districts. We therefore want to encourage people particularly women to join this scheme in order to have reliable source of funds for their small businesses,” Mr Ayaric said. He disclosed that as part of the bank’s expansion programme, it has acquired a new plot of land for the construction of a permanent bank building at Fumbisi where it operates a mobilization centre. The Board Chairman said all things being equal; the structure should be completed by the end of this year, adding that the bank has already applied to the Bank of Ghana for the upgrading of the Fumbisi mobilization centre to a full agency. Mr Ayaric said the board has initiated the process to get a new strategic document for the next five years to replace the existing one adding in the remaining months on this year, the board will continue to adopt effective risk management strategies that will ensure that the bank achieve its goals of being recognized as one of the top ten rural /community bank in Ghana. “The banking landscape continues to undergo dramatic changes which cut across regulations, technology, competition and new products. As a community bank we must effectively prepare to embrace and overcome these challenges,” the Board Chairman said A client of the bank, Mr Gabriel Asumboya, whose business, Viikandi Investments who was rewarded as the best depositor for the year 2012 praised BUCOBANK for being alive to responsibilities. He said for the past four years since he started doing business with the bank, they have played their role effectively. He however urged the bank to be more innovative by developing and introducing new and attractive products, such as SMS and internet banking to meet the needs and aspirations of the clients in the area. Mr. James Kwesi Arko, Manager of Bolgatanga Branch of ARB Apex Bank, commended the board, management, staff and shareholders of BUCOBANK for working relentlessly to improve performance in the face of intense competition. He urged the bank’s management to enhance its loan recovery strategies. Mr. James Kwesi Arko who spoke on behalf of Mr. Kwadwo Aye Kusi, the Managing Director of the ARB Bank Limited also stressed the need for management to strengthen the internal control mechanisms to ensure that adequate and effective measures are put in place to enhance standards and improve performance, with a view to ensuring efficient operations. For 2011, a total amount of GH c 84,501 was charged as provision for bad and doubtful debts as against GH c 107,424 in 2010 by BUCOBANK. Despite being a reduction, the 2011 figure was considered to be on the higher side and as such management was encouraged to continue to o take legal action against defrauding customers to recover all outstanding loans of the bank. The Builsa North District Coordinating Director, Alhaji Mohammed Issaka on behalf of the assembly congratulated the board of directors of the bank, management, staff and the customers for the diverse role they played in bringing the bank to this stage. He said emerging competitions demands that management will have to improve access of banking services to the people in the District in order to remain in business. Mr Issaka said while the assembly will continue to create the enabling environment for business to flourish, it behooves management of the bank to be innovative and responsive to the needs of clients to attract more customers. -End-