Increase investment in education

Daily Graphic August 26,2013 Page 65 Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, BOLGATANGA A retired Educationist and Founding Principal of the Bolgatanga Polytechnic in the Upper East Region, Mr Robet A. Ajene has called on government to increase its investment in education to make the teaching profession an attractive destination for many. According to Mr Ajene, who has over 30 years experience in the teaching profession, the biggest challenge facing Ghana in her bid to attain the level of development in newly industrialized economies is the widening is the opportunity for quality schooling at both the primary and secondary levels. “If we want to avoid crises in Ghana now and before 2015, we should promote basic education as not only a constitutional obligation for Ghana but also prerequisite for economic growth and poverty reduction. In fact all efforts, the educational system is still far from achieving the desired outcomes. We still have challenges at the basic level and these need serious attention,” Mr Ajene said. The retired educationist made the call as a guest speaker for the 4th quadrennial delegate conference of the Upper East Region branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, (GNAT) in Bolgatanga Mr Ajene also noted that one sure way of averting the crises in education is effective supervision. He said where supervision does not exist; the tendency is for teachers to relax their efforts, attend classes irregularly or unpunctual or both. He emphasized the need for the Ghana Education Service to improve its inspectorate system. Another approach he said was the need to pay attention to entrepreneurial training so that the products churned are readily absorbed into the job market instead of being left without jobs. “Look at our polytechnics, which are meant to produce middle level manpower. Most polytechnic graduates are not being employed in the public sector due to lack of vacancies or that they were not specifically trained to undertake a specific job” Mr. Thomas Baafi, Deputy General Secretary of GNAT, in charge of Education and Professional Development said as part of the way forward, Ghana has to rethink how to attract, employ, retain outstanding teaching talents. He added that in-service training, availability of learning and teaching materials, massive infrastructure development and programmes targeting the vulnerable are key to averting crisis in the sector. Mr Baafi added that the systems failures in the education sector must be fixed whiles issues such as delays in promotion, upgrading and salary adjustments of teachers must be give priority attention. “The nation needs an education paradigm shift. Education planners must look beyond counting the number of children sitting in classrooms and focus on learning. The philosophy and goals of education must be tailored at building relevant knowledge, equipping learners with life skills, building positive perspectives and inculcating in learners positive attitudes and values grounded in our culture,” he said. Mr. Steven Gebute, Upper East Regional Chairman of GNAT admonished members of the union to be minded of the implementation of the Education Act, 2008, Act 778, and improve on their output warning that “if we are to be retained in the teaching profession, we need to sit up”. He explained that the Act has no room for lateness to school, drunkenness, absenteeism and non-performing teachers. Touching on the activities of the union, the Regional Chairman said the union does not only negotiate for improved salaries and conditions of service for its members but also contributes to the development of society and the nation at large. He said in the period under review, GNAT in the region initiated projects and programmes among which is a science project organized for teachers particularly female teachers, drawn from 50 primary schools in the Bawku West District with the aim of upgrading the knowledge and skills of teachers to effectively teach science in the upper primary and to arouse the interest of female teachers in the teaching of science. Mr Gebute expressed worry at the attraction rate in the profession and appealed to the government to make the teaching profession an attractive destination. The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Daniel Syme while commending the union for the proactive roles it is playing in raising critical issues of national interest in education delivery in the country in general and the region in particular, urged leadership of GNAT and other labor unions in the education sector to desist from defending the members who intentionally refuse to work when supervisors want to crack the whip. “As you fight for better conditions of service for them, remind them about their duties and responsibilities as teachers,” he added. He gave the assurances that government will continue to provide the much needed resources for effective teaching and learning in schools to forestall the crisis situation the union is foreseeing. -End- Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh Quick read The Upper East Region branch of GNAT holds conference every four years at the regional level. The purpose of the conference is to take stock of major activities carried out over the period under review, assess the strengths and weakness, evaluate its activities and project into the future The theme for this year’s conference was “Education in Crisis-the agenda for 2015 and beyond, the role of the stakeholders” The guest speaker for this year’s conference Mr Robert Ajene, a retired educationist advocated increased investments, increased supervision and entrepreneurial training at all levels of the sector. Increase

INFIDELITY COSTS MAN HIS PENIS

A 36-year-old pupil teacher has had his penis severed by a gang led by the husband of a woman he is accused of having an amorous relationship with. Daily Graphic August 26, 2013 Page 16 James Kalimal Baale, a pupil teacher at Nalerigu in the Northern Region is currently on admission at the Baptist Hospital in Nalerigu while his assailant, Moses Teng, also a teacher at Sheaga Primary School and one Kofi Asampana, said to have aided the cruel act, are in the grips of the Police in Bawku. Two other accomplices are on the run, however, Comfort Tikana, 24, the lady alleged to be between the two men is also in the firm grips of the police to help with investigations. She is herself a pupil teacher at the Sheaga Day Care Centre. Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Bawku Divisional Crime Officer of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Adamu Seidu said the incident occurred last Thursday, August 22, at about 8 pm. Mr Seidu said Moses and his gang stormed the campus of the Pusiga College of Education where James and Comfort are pursuing a top-up programme to attack the lovers. According to the police, Moses claimed James whom he suspected to be the boyfriend of his wife, Comfort, has been calling him (Moses) on his mobile phone to insult him.The severed penis Moses claimed James even went to the extent of vividly describing the size of his wife’s private parts, the hotels they have been meeting in, the number of times they had had sex and the clothing he, James, had bought for Comfort. The police said this alleged conversation infuriated Moses and as a result he stormed the campus where the two lovers were schooling. On arrival, Moses and his gang allegedly ambushed the victim, overpowered him and severed his penis with a knife. The police said Moses and two others fled the scene after the incident, however, Kofi Asampana, was attacked by a mob and later arrested by the police. James was sent to the Nalerigu Hospital after receiving first aid at the Akonye Memorial Hospital in Pusiga. According to Supt. Seidu, police investigations led them to Tongo, where Moses was picked up on Saturday evening after he had reported himself to the police in Tongo and admitted his crime. http://graphic.com.gh/General-News/husband-leads-gang-to-cut-off-rivalspenis.html

SSNIT prosecutes defaulting employers

SSNIT prosecutes defaulting employers Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga A Bolgatanga Magistrate court, presided over by Madam Vivian Yamusah, has issued a bench warrant for six companies for refusing to pay Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions on behalf of their employees. The companies include Bisvel Petroleum Services, Speedlink Restaurant, Navrongo, Yinimi Ventures, Yinwaat Enterprise, Bakayo J. Enterprise and Buhas Enterprise. All six companies owe SSNIT a total of GH c 3,389.93. The bench warrants were issued by the court after directors of the companies failed to appear before the court after been served with criminal summons. They are to reappear in court on September 16, 2013 Unity Oil Company which operates in Paga was also fined an amount of GH c 1,000 for failure to register with the trust and ordered to regularize its operation including the payment of contributions on behalf of their employee. Managers of Asankunde Memorial Clinic whose indebtedness to the Trust amounted to GH c 6, 444.86 made a representation in court was admitted to self recognizance bail to the tune of GH c 7,000.00 and the case adjourned to September 16, 2013. Mr. Foster Adjei, a prosecutor of the Trust said the defaulting companies despite been served letter to appear in court failed to turn up. He noted that SSNIT was pursuing a rigorous exercise to ensure that errant employers who fail to live up to their responsibilities are drag to court. Speaking to The Mirror, the Bolgatanga Branch Manager of SSNIT, Mr Prosper Yao Gavu expressed concern that employers were deducting workers’ contributions as stipulated by the law, yet they did not comply with the provisions of the law for payment of the contributions to SSNIT. He urged employers to desist from such negative practice and stressed that the days of leniency were over and that irrespective of the quantum of the amount owed by any employer, all legal means would now be employed to ensure security of income for the increasing number of workers and future pensioners. He also encouraged all defaulting employers to contact SSNIT for negotiations if they could not pay their debts in full. -End- writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

POTAG says it is opposed to any attempt abolish of Book & Research Allowance

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover The Polytechnic Teachers’ Association of Ghana (POTAG) has stated that it will resist any attempt by government to abolish the current Book and Research Allowances being enjoyed by University lecturers. POTAG in a press statement copied to Daily Graphic and signed by Mr Oswald Atiga, General Secretary go POTAG at the end of its 20th National Delegates Congress held in Kumasi, stressed that the Book and Research Allowance was negotiated for by POTAG and so forms part of its conditions of service. The statement said Indeed it is POTAG`S view that this particular allowance even needs an upwards adjustment considering the current economic state of the country. "POTAG will apply all means necessary to maintain and keep what it has so bargained and negotiated for, " POTAG said They further said in POTAG’s conditions of service, promotion of senior members or lecturers is based on research and publication. Also for higher academic institutions of learning to be vibrant playing their critical role of contributing to teaching, research and enhancement of knowledge and skill; lecturers must be able to acquire current literature and practical materials related to their fields of endeavour in order to compete appropriately in this advanced technological world. Quoting from the Labour Act, POTAG said "employers are to promote conducive working environment together with the appropriate and relevant tools that make working productive and enhance performance. Therefore the employer cannot take away or suspend the tool and yet expect high levels of performance and productivity from its employees." The statement vehemently denied information circulating in the media to the effect that POTAG has agreed to the implementation of this policy. "POTAG wishes to state clearly that nowhere have we discussed this matter with government or with any other stakeholder" It went on to state that no centralized program/scheme of any kind has worked properly in this country before and so they (POTAG) will not accept any attempt to centralize this allowance. "The question we want to pose is; How easily accessible is this allowance in its current state that the ministry now thinks centralization is the answer?" the statement asked The statement concluded by stressing that thy will jealously and vehemently guard whatever is negotiated and duly captured in its conditions of service Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Deputy Minister of Education, in-charge of Tertiary Education was recently reported as announcing that government is to abolish the current Book and Research Allowances being enjoyed by University lecturers. In its place, the Deputy Minister said government is considering merging all the research allowances into one to be known as, the “National Research Fund” where funds spent government spends yearly as book and research allowance would be incorporated into the fund, for which lecturers or students would have to present research proposals for approval, before disbursement. -end- Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Chiefs, mining firm reach agreement

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, BOLGATANGA The chiefs and elders of the Gbane Traditional Area have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shaanxi Mining Minerals Procession Company Limited to end the dispute that characterised mining business operations in the area. Under the MoU, the traditional rulers have ceded 71.16 acres of land outside the mining concession to be used for the construction of residential quarters and other structures in Gbane by the firm for a lease period of 50 years. In exchange, the mining company is expected to provide the community with social amenities including educational infrastructure, scholarship for students, employment opportunities, provision of ICT facilities and the construction of a social centre, a dam, as well as the repair and maintenance of a stretch of the road between Gbane and Talusi. The Shaanxi Mining Minerals Procession Company Limited is providing technical support services to two local mining groups operating in the community. At a media briefing in Bolgatanga, the Chief of Gbane, Naab Zelsom Nakahilad Pubortaab Naabil, in a speech read by his spokesperson, Turoung Zumah Yaro, said the company would build a nine-classroom block with two offices and two store rooms for the community. He also said the company was expected to provide five places of convenience for the community at locations to be decided by the community leaders. Naab Naabil added that as per the agreement, the company was also expected to give priority to the employment to members of the Gbane community and also provide a community centre for the people between 2017 and 2018. The Public Relations Officer of the Shaanxi Mining Minerals Procession Company Limited, Mr Maxwell Woomah, expressed joy at the final agreement reached with the community as it would provide a good and harmonious working environment. Benjamin Xornam Glover/Daily Graphic/Ghana Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh http://graphic.com.gh/General-News/chiefs-mining-firm-reach-agreement.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Chiefs, NDC, NPP spokespersons in UE advocate peace

Chiefs, NDC, NPP spokespersons in UE advocate peace Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, BOLGATANGA Some traditional rulers and representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region have appealed to Ghanaians in general and resident of ye region in particular to accept the Supreme Court verdict on the election petition in good faith. The President of the Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Sakote Traditional Area, Naba Sigri Bewong, his Vice, Pe Aditundi Anidu Ayagitam III, the leaders of the communications teams of the NDC and NPP in the region separate interviews, urged Ghanaians to be calm before and after the verdict and refrain actions and utterances that could lead to violence and undermine peace and development. The President of the Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Sakote Traditional Area, Naba Sigri Bewong, said Ghana is more important than any existing political party that and peace is very paramount, hence the need for all to respect the outcome of the petition "I expect everyone especially the youth not to resort to any act of violence. Let us all respect the rule of law and abide by whichever verdict the justices of the Supreme Court will come out with" The Vice President of the Regional House of Chiefs, who is also the Paramount Chief of Chiana, Pe Aditundi Anidu Ayagitam III also said Ghana has for a long time enjoyed peace and that Ghana has for many years enjoyed praises from the international community and that it will be very sad if the nation should lose all the praises being showered on her as a very peaceful country. Pe Ayagitam III said as the entire nation await the final verdict, it was incumbent for every Ghanaian to put the interest of the country first and preserve the unity and peace prevailing. "We should all understand that peace is the only thing to help us advance and match up to the other developed countries," he added. He called on the youth of the region as well as supporters of both the petitioners and respondents to remain peaceful even after the verdict is pronounced. For his part, the leader of the Communication Team of the National Democratic Congress in the Upper East Region, Mr Amos Awinzor said as a leader, he seizes every opportunity that comes his way to advice supporters of the party in the region to plead with them on the need to keep the peace. "We need peace more than anything to govern. So if we do anything to hurt the system, we we not be able to achieve our aim," he said Mr Awinzor said apart from that, at the end of the day, elections and its aftermath issues should not be a matter of breaking heads adding that election is a contest and that power belong to the people and at any point in time if the people say you have the power, you have it. If they say you don't have it, you don't have it and as political parties and supporters, we have to understand that principle. Mr Awinzor said much as he believes that the NDC have made a good case against the petitioners and knowing very well that they have advanced their arguments very well, the party still leave the outcome to the wisdom of the justices of the Supreme Court. "Whichever way they deemed it fit, we should all accept and support the victor to build the nation," he said adding that if the case should go their way, they will be happy and celebrate accordingly. He however called for moderation and modesty, stressing that at not point should the celebrants taunt the losers. "We should all be tolerant and note that election defeats should not be the end of the world. We need peace more than never before in order to advance the development of the nation" Mr Bashiru Ibrahim, leader of the New Patriotic Party Communication Team in the region said following from the position of the flag bearer of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo who has been very emphatic on the need to go to court because he has so much respect for the institutions of state, all supporters of the party in the region have been admonished to get themselves prepared to accept the outcome of the petition. "After all, Ghana is the only country we have. In line with the conviction of our leader, and also the fact our party has come out with a guidelines, a number of sensitization programmes have been held to guide all those who speak for the party to avoid making judgmental comments and also be civil" He said the leadership of the party in the region together with the communication team have taken a decision to educate supporters of the party to accept the outcome of the case, irrespective of which way it goes. "Once we did not choose to hit the streets in protest at the beginning of the case, we cannot go to the streets now that the case has gone through the judicial process. Should that happen we would have been seen to be undermining the powers and confidence we have in the courts'" Mr Ibrahim added. -End- Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh Twitter | @glovben 30 Secs read -The Supreme Court hearing election petition will next sit on Wednesday, August 14, 2014 to seek further clarifications on the written and oral addresses submitted by lawyers of the petitioners and respondents - 15 days thereafter,the Justices of the Supreme Court will pronounce judgment - Various bodies have all advocated the need for Ghanaians to embrace the verdict and not resort to violence

WOM addresses women access to productive lands.

WOM addresses women access to productive lands. Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, BOLGATANGA Access to land determines one’s access to income-generating activities as well as one’s access to food. Despite the important roles played by women in the farm sector, studies shows that that men had greater access to and control over land in the Upper East Region. The Ghana land administrative project as of 2011, estimated that 80 per cent of the land in Ghana is owned and governed by our traditional rulers and the principal ways in which women acquire land is through their lineage, inheritance, marriage or by contractual arrangements. These processes of acquiring land however do not include family lands. The Intestate Succession Law fails to cover family lands. Wives and children therefore cannot inherit family property, no matter their contribution to its development. The case of widows Widows particularly in northern Ghana, have a peculiar case which causes them to lose access to land in most instances. Based on culture, men own lands and hence any woman who can access land can mostly access the husband' or son' land. In the case of the widow, she no longer has a husband hence she cannot access the land. Also in some instances even when she has a male child who is young, she is still prevented from accessing land. In instances where a widow manages to access land, it turns out to be the least productive one .On the other hand it is a known fact that proceeds from women's farms play an important role in household food security and generate cash for buying oil, vegetables, meat and, increasingly, extra staple foods. Infertile lands limit the crops they can grow. Example, they would not plant tree crops if they thought they might lose the land when the trees started bearing fruit. It restricts their access to credit from formal sources, as they do not have land collateral. It encourages low productivity and aggravation of food insecurity among others. WOM Interventions It is to address this and promote gender equity in access to and control over land, the Widows and Orphans Movement, (WOM), a non-governmental organization with support from Action Aid Ghana has been working on issues related to women's rights in the Talensi and Nabdam districts for the past seven years. The mission is to promote sustainable agriculture and control over natural resources for people living in poverty, majority of who are women. Commitments In June this year, WOM working with widows in five communities in the Talensi and Nabdam districts namely,Winkono, Wakii, Pelungu, Sakote, and Pwalugu managed to secure some commitments from chiefs and Tindanas, (traditional land owners). Among the commitments were that productive lands will be released to widows for cultivation when they demand for it. Again Chiefs and land owners will ensure that farm lands of widows are not destroyed intentionally by others, such as the intentional driving of ruminants to the farmlands of widows to cause destruction by community members. In the case of the Pwalugu community, it came to light that farmlands are commonly destroyed by cattle belonging to Fulani herdsmen and that even as attempts are being made to find a lasting solution to the problem, widows who still want to farm under the prevailing circumstances should be given farm lands to cultivate. Another commitment extracted from the chiefs was to the effect that lands being cultivated by widows will not be taken away from them without a one year prior notice. Follow up engagement meeting At a follow up meeting held in Bolgatanga, the National Director of WOM, Ms Fati Abigail Abdulai said following those series of engagements with the various widows networks in 23 communities in Talensi and Nabdam district some chiefs and Tindanas (traditional land owners) have made further pledges to support women's secured more access to productive land enabling us all to be food secured. "We have had instances where chiefs have led the campaign to help members of the widows network get between four and 10 acres of land to enable them carry out farming and also better position them to support the upkeep of their homes,"she said. The National Director of WOM expressed the hope that the commitments made by the Chiefs and Tindanas would go a long way to support women's secured access to productive land and enabling all to be food secured. In an interview with a cross section of widows over the weekend, the consensus was that the move by WOM have led to an improvement in their life's and they are now food secured and better positioned to take care of their families. The Chief of Winkongo, Moses Aganzuah lauded the initiative by WOM asters king that it will go a long way to help not only the widows but the entire society. He also emphasized the need for the widows on the need to demonstrate good character and self respect which he said will open doors for them and also grant them unfettered access to the palaces of the traditional rulers to discuss pertinent issues including asses to land. Ms. Juliet Jalia Adams, General Programme Officer of ActionAid Ghana, noted that as a result of the interventions, the women they have been working with have developed enough confidence to speak their mind even in the midst of their chief and elders and this is a great step forward. She added with joy that productive lands are being released to women for farming but stressed that they still have a log way forward in gaining assess to larger tracts of land to produce foods not only to feed their immediate families but also feed the society and enhance their economic status. She urged the widows to continue working effectively as a group in other to benefit from the many opportunities that exist. -End- Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh 1 Minute read -Violation of women’s property rights has its origins in customary tenure systems of land ownership that are patriarchal and do not recognize women’s claim over land except through their ties with men. -Under patrilineal land system, that is most common in African societies, land belongs to either the boys as brothers or men as husbands, from which women derive rights to till the land. On death, land devolves to the man’s sons and not the spouse or his daughters. -The traditional perception of women as minors means that under such systems, their control and access to land is subject to male dictates, which maintains the status‐quo whereby women today are still in a disadvantaged bargaining position to contract or gain access to credit facilities needed to engage in income generating activities and live self‐sustaining lives.

Garu-Tempane District fails to confirm President’s nominee

Garu-Tempane District fails to confirm President’s nominee Story:Benjamin Xornam Glover, Garu The Garu-Tempane District Assembly in the Upper East Region has failed to endorse the President’s nominee, Mr Albert A. Akoka as its District Chief Executive (DCE). Out of the 40 Assembly members who voted, he polled 25 votes representing 62.5 per cent as the remaining 15 voted against her resulting in her inability to secure the mandatory two thirds majority votes to clinch an endorsement. The Electoral Commission(EC) led by the Regional Director, Mr Bruce Ayisi which conducted the exercise said per the formula, the nominee had to obtain 67 per cent to have his appointment confirmed and having failed to do so, a second round of voting will have to be conducted on a new date, an opportunity granted by law. Prior to the holding of the assembly sitting, the Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru had passed the night in the district with the view of holding consultation with the electoral college to remove all impediments and have a smooth approval process. On the morning of the polls on Monday morning, another round of consultation with the electoral college was held in the office of the DCE presided over by the Regional Minister to thrash out all differences. However, after the first round of voting, it appeared the consultations failed achieve its objectives. The nominee was two votes short of the votes needed to confirm him. Addressing the assembly men and women after the process, the Regional Minister urged the assembly men and women not to be disheartened about the outcome since an opportunity exist for them to make amends. Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru , appealed to the Assembly members to bury their differences and endorse the President’s nominee at the next opportunity since the district is lagging behind in terms of development. "We need development. one year is almost gone and we still don't have a DCE. We need to take the developmental needs of the district into consideration and soften our stance. Your have communicated your concerns through diplomacy and we understand. We will go back and right the wrong so that at the next opportunity, message have been sent clearly and we will take it into consideration," the regional minister said. The acting Presiding Member, Mr Edward Dahamani, expressed disappointment at the outcome of the polls stressing that without that development process of the district will be stalled and urged the assembly members to reconsider their position and give the nominee the nod at the next sitting Prior to the conduct of the election, the nominee, pledged to unite the people and mobilize them to work towards the development of the area. He said as the DCE for the district which is also deprived, he will work together with all assembly men and women to improve livelihoods of the people, especially the poor and the vulnerable the in a sustainable manner. He said he would focus on improving infrastructure in education, health, agriculture and sanitation among others. Also, we would take steps to improve on the human resource base of assembly in a bud to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery. He enumerated eleven key goals he intends to achieve and enlisted the support of all the assembly men and women as well as the people in the district to collaborate with his administration. Present were the the DCEs for Binduri and Builsa North District Assemblies, Messrs Daniel Akologo Adoliba and Bonaventure Adangabey End Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh Quick read -The nominee, prior to his appointed was an accountant with PPHD -Among his plans was to take steps to improve on the human resource base of assembly in a bid to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery. -Conspicuously absent at confirmation programme was the two sitting MPs in the district Messrs Dominic Azimbe Azumah and David Adakudurugu

Don’t offer platform to foment trouble – Media urged

Don’t offer platform to foment trouble – Media urged Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, BOLGATANGA The Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Eric Amoh has urged media practitioners in the region to be guided by the national interest and refuse to provide the platform for anybody with the intent of inciting people to violence. Mr Amoh, who was speaking at a day’s forum held in Bolgatanga and attended by chiefs, representatives of political parties, women's groups, persons with disability, security personnel said it is important at this crucial closing moments of the election petition hearing for players in the media industry to be wary of the kind of personalities and issues they raise on their platforms in order not to plunge the country into turmoil. This call comes as the country expects the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Election Petition, challenging the legitimacy of the 2012 presidential poll results. The forum was organized jointly by the Center for Alternative Development (CENFAD-Ghana), the BElim Wusa Development Agency, (BEWDA) and the Community Development and Advocacy Center(CODAC) and STAR-Ghana. It was aimed at helping the participants to sustain the current peace being enjoyed in Northern Ghana particularly after the ruling of the Supreme Court in the election petition. Mr Amoh cautioned media houses in the region against programming and discussions that have the tendency of igniting conflict. The Upper Regional Director of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, (CHRAJ) Mr Kenneth Adabayire in a presentation on the topic "Justice and Peace for National Development and Stability" noted that the mere fact that the challenge to an election outcome has been sent to the highest court of the land for a pronouncement means the rule of law pertains in Ghana. He said this approach of realizing that it is the Supreme Court which should settle the election dispute should continue and all parties should accept the verdict when it is delivered and also make an effort to keep the peace for a coherent national development and stability. The Vicar-General of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Rev Father Gabriel Atidoo in a presentation made on his behalf by Mr Joseph Ayembilla, said it was important for all Ghanians to come to the understanding that, guns have no solution to changing leadership but rather the power of the thumb He also debunked prophesies from some men of God that sought to put fear and panic into any people that there will be mayhem when the Supreme Court pronounce its ruling and rather called on the citizenry to pray for humility and grace of God to accept the outcome. The Upper East Regional Crime Officer of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Alex Asamoah Frimpong said the police were fully prepared to provide protection and ensure the safety of everyone and cautioned politicians and members of the general public with bad intent to refrain from any act that will infringe on the peaceful atmosphere prevailing. Pe Joseph Afagache, Paramount Chief of Nakong who chaired the function as well as Mr Shaibu Abukabar, a member of the National Peace Council both underscored the need for Ghanians to choose the path of peace and strive hard to protect the reputation of Ghana as a peaceful country. -End- quick read The UE Chairman of GJA, Mr Eric Amoh urged the media to sieve comments by politicians which could plunge the country into turmoil. The aim o the forum was to help to sustain the current peace being enjoyed in Northern Ghana. Representatives of the NDC, NPP and PNC all pledged their commitment to peace and to educate their followers to accept the outcome of the petition.

NIA mass registration in Upper East begins on August 15

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The National Identification Authority (NIA) has called on residents of the Upper East Region who for one reason or the other do not get themselves registered during the mass registration period not to panic and get overly worried since they have an opportunity to have their data captured when the authority opens up its Regional and District offices later on to cater for continuous registration. “Anytime we do the mass registration exercise in any region, we receive so many calls from Ministers, Members of Parliament, and District Chief Executives among others for an extension of the period of registration. We want the public to understand that the mass registration programme is just to collect initial personal and biometric data for the establishment of a national register,” Ms Bertha Dzeble, Head of Public Affairs at the NIA said, adding that the NIA has a program to continue registration after the stipulated registration days elapses in each region. Speaking at a media briefing in Bolgatanga, ahead of a mass registration exercise in the Upper East Region, Ms Dzeble said officials of the NIA were working hard to get financial approval to open regional and district offices as well as personnel to handle continuous registration of all qualified persons and there was no need to people to get overly worried to the extent of migrating to other districts to register. The exercise, which is expected to last from August 15, 2013 to September 11, 2013 covers all persons who are six years and above. The Upper East Region has been divided into two phases. Phase one of the exercise, which is scheduled to take place from the August 15 to 24 would cover the Bolgatanga, Bongo, Builsa North and South as well as the Kasenna-Nankana East and West Districts. Phase two of the exercise which would be from September 2 to September 11 would cover the Bawku East, Bawku West, Garu-Tempane and Nabdam areas. Ms. Bertha Dzeble who emphasized that registration was mandatory and not by choice, pointed out that it was an offence for anyone to try to register twice; adding that, the system could only capture a person’s information only once and that anyone who tried registering twice would be identified and punished according to the law. She said so far over 91,000 double registrations had been identified and measures would be put in place to trace such people. She added that a person found guilty of double registration would be charged 2,500 penalty units (1 penalty unit = GH c 12.00) or put in jail for five years. She called on all applicants to provide personal information such as name, date of birth, place of birth, hometown, district, nationality, educational background, occupation, postal address, house number, street name, parents' information and spouse information. The Head of Public Affairs at the NIA appealed to applicants to bring along any form of verification documentation such as baptismal card or certificate, birth certificate, birth weighing card, voter's ID card, passport, immigration permit, SSNIT card, dual citizenship certificate, naturalization certificate among others.. She said persons who do not possess any of these documents should bring relatives to identify them under oath. She emphasized that the registration is free and any person who demands or offers money for registration should be reported to the NIA officers or state security agents. Ms. Dzeble said the difficulty associated with the exercise was how to determine people living along border areas as Ghanaians or non Ghanaians, adding that, in such areas, chiefs, opinion leaders and community members would be contacted to assist in identifying such people. She said the exercise was not for voting purposes but rather a mechanism aimed at providing a secure and undoubted way of identifying both Ghanaians and foreign nationals living in the country. She therefore appealed to the public not to prevent people from registering. Alhaji Salifu Abdulai, a member of the NIA Operations Team, stressed that the National Identification System different from other registration exercises carried out in the past because it is suppose to build a national data base from which national planning will take off. He said this is so important because “the situation we seem to have now is that of fragmented planning. We don’t have one source where one can obtain concrete national planning information for all government and private institution”. -End- Fact File: • The Upper East Region is the last region in Ghana to be covered under the mass registration exercise • The National Identification System is designed to securely and undoubtedly verify and identify all Ghanaians citizens anywhere and all legally and permanently resident foreign national at all times. • The system is also to provide a common platform to integrate and enhance public and private sector business activities and facilitate the sharing of data for national development purposes.

GNAPS appeals for increase support

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, BOLGATANGA The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS), has appealed to the government to grant its members some tax reliefs and other assistance such as including its members in the beneficiary list of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund)-supported institutions. The Association's First National Vice-President, Mr Steve Revss said this would enable them to improve the infrastructure of their schools for quality education delivery. "IT's been acknowledged that private schools provide currently the best of education mainly because of our supervision and monitoring. We have over the years played and continued to play key role in the human resource development of the nation and it would not be out of place to give them some push by the government,"he added. Mr Revss renewed the appeal in an interview with the Junior Graphic during the associations 2013 delegates conference held at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. The theme for the three days conference was "Improving private participation in education to meet national aspirations" He emoahsied that such support to privates schools will ease the burden on them and better positioned members to provide better infrastructure to train the country's children. He also stated that the GNAPS will continue to play its advocacy roles to further enhance the importance private schools in Ghana . The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Daniel Syme who opened the conference commended GNAPS for its immense contribution to the improvement of education. He said the give the needed impetus to government commitment to education via partnership with the private sector to deliver, the government has undertaken to establish private schools desks with dedicated officers in all Ghana Education Service offices at the national, regional, metropolitan, municipal and district levels throughout the country. "These Desk Officers are expected to render all the assistance and technical support that private schools need to enable them deliver quality education for the nation,"Mr Syme said. "I assure you that it is the desire of government to see that private schools get all the assistance that they need so that the highly appreciated academic work they are doing will continue to churn out productive graduates who will work in the near future to boost the nation's image economically and effectively to give our country the shinning international image we remain to be," he added. Mr Syme gave the assurance that government is still exploring more avenues to increase it's support for basic education through the second cycle and tertiary levels and this will include the private schools. End Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh QUICK READ GNAPS. Was formally established in 1971 as a canopy association for all schools privately founded and managed. Membership consists of proprietors of pre-schools, all privately owned first cycle or basic schools, Senior High Schools, non-degree awarding schools such as computer , vocational, technical schools and all diploma awarding tertiary institutions. Among is function is advocacy to enhance the importance of the private schools in Ghana.

Constraints to Vea Dam rehabilitation resolved

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The bottlenecks that were stalling rehabilitation works at the Vea Dam in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region have been removed. There were disagreements between the contractor and some community members over access to boulders needed for the rehabilitation of the dam wall and the unwillingness of the Tindanas (landowners) for rocks in the vicinity of the dam to be used as raw material for rehabilitation works. Traditional priests in the area also claimed that the rocks could not be used because the rocks represented the abode of the local gods. The Upper East Regional Co-ordinating Council (UERCC), whose intervention led to the resolution of the disagreements, has subsequently written to the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to arrange for the contractor to complete his work and save the dam from possible collapse. In April, this year, the Daily Graphic carried a news item from the Upper East Region that the Vea Irrigation Dam Project could collapse if rehabilitation works were not done before the rainy season began. The rehabilitation of the dam, which is being sponsored from a $2 million Nordic Development Fund facility, was awarded to Eunitack Services Limited in 2010 and should have been completed in December, 2012. A visit by the Daily Graphic to the site revealed that the dam was in bad shape, with sections of its walls developing gullies. It is the fear that the dam will be destroyed, with the subsequent effect on the lives of the people who depend on it, that compelled the UERCC to step in to help remove all the bottlenecks. The UERCC convened a series of consultative meetings with the necessary stakeholders, including community members, on the issues and at one of such meetings held on Wednesday, June 26, 2013, which had in attendance representatives of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, a number of issues were agreed upon, among which was the need for the contractor to go back to site to execute the project, since the community members had pledged to cooperate and not to disrupt the process. The meeting also agreed that despite the assurance given by the community, adequate security be provided to ensure that the contractor and his workers were well protected during the period. It was also agreed that a team was sent to the community to assess those houses which would possibly be affected by the contractor’s activities for possible compensation, which the contractor confirmed had already been done. Challenges Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Upper East Regional Chief Manager of the GWCL, Mr Ken Agbettoh, said the challenge was that the consultant had returned to Norway due to the expiration of the contract period. “The deadline for the contract was August, last year, and we had to plead for extension to December, 2012. Still the contractor couldn’t complete work as a result of the challenges. As it stands, we have to factor in other costs and see if we can get the sponsors to extend the financial assistance for the project,” he said. He said another challenge was that the work should have been done during the dry season when the water level in the reservoir was low, adding that now it will be difficult for the contractor to make progress as the rainy season has set in. Scope of work The contractor was expected to reinforce the walls of the dam, particularly those upstream, and change the valves to enhance water processing and production. The dam, which was constructed in the 1970s, has not seen any major repairs. Apart from the facility being used for irrigation purposes, it is also the major source of drinking water for people in the Bolgatanga municipality and its environs. The canals and laterals that convey water from the dam to the farms have virtually broken down. Water does not get to the farmers to enable them to irrigate their farms and many farmers have consequently abandoned their farmlands. The irrigation area is zoned into low lands for rice farming and uplands for the cultivation of tomato, soya beans, cabbage, lettuce, pepper and other vegetables. Millet and groundnuts also used to be cultivated in the area. Impact of the Project The Vea Irrigation facility used to be a major source of livelihood, not only for the people of Vea but also the entire Bongo District and the Bolgatanga municipality where most people engaged in dry season farming, including rice, tomato, onion and pepper cultivation, among others. Due to the deterioration of the facility, majority of the farmers are unable to farm. As a result, most of them, including the youth, have left for the southern part of the country to seek greener pastures. It is hoped that when the facility is rehabilitated, it will empower the people, particularly the youth, to go into farming, especially during the dry season, instead of migrating elsewhere to do menial jobs. Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh Twitter| @glovben http://graphic.com.gh/General-News/constraints-to-vea-dam-rehabilitation-resolved.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Security Services undertake route march in Bolgatanga

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Over 300 security personnel mainly drawn from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana Prisons Service and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority embarked on a two hour a route march through some principal streets of Bolgatanga to announce their readiness ahead of the declaration of the verdict on the Election Petition. Led by the various service commanders, namely, Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCOP) Mr. Alex Isaac Quainoo of Police Service, Lt. Col. Ampofo-Gyekye of the Airborne Force, D.O Albert Aloore Ayamga of the Fire Service, Mr. Alhassan Nahii, Regional Commander of the Ghana Prison Service and Inspector Francis Eneh of the Ghana Immigration Service, the procession which saw personnel fully clad in riot control gear started at 9 am from the forecourt of the regional police headquarters and ended at the same spot after two hours of marching. Personnel were later addressed by the Regional Police Commander, the Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Daniel Syme. Along the route, some residents in the municipal expressed surprise at such outpouring of personnel and accoutrement while others said with the presence of the security men and women, they are assured of their safety even after the verdict is announced and hat there will be no course for concern. DCOP Mr. Alex Isaac Quainoo of Police Service has commended security officers in the region for their hard work and expressed the hope that they will continue to collaborate and effectively cater for the security concerns of the citizenry at any material time. The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Daniel Syme gave the assurance that government and the Regional Coordinating Council will continue to support the security agencies and admonished the personnel to no matter which way the verdict will go to be professional in their duties and ensure the peace prevailed. -End- Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh