Harmattan can't deter us from celebrating Xmas — Bolga residents declare By: Benjamin Xornam Glover / Daily Graphic / Ghana | Tuesday, 24 December 2013

Since time immemorial, Christmas has been the season of spreading good cheer, of spending time with family and of sharing, caring and giving and this year is no different at least in the Upper East Region. For some people in Bolgatanga, the regional capital, the severe harmattan weather condition cannot affect the way they celebrate this festive season. A visit to various sections of the Bolgatanga main market on Monday, which happens to be a market day ahead of Christmas day, saw a large number of people who had converged to trade and shop in items ranging from clothing, footwear, xmas decorations, foodstuff, livestock, poultry products, assorted alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, among others. Patronage of items such as guinea fowls, either fresh or processed, were in high demand and the traditional hand-made fugu (smock) were all enjoying good sales forcing prices to double and in some cases triple. A tour of the market revealed that a live guinea fowl, a local delicacy, is sold for between GH ¢15 and GH¢ 25 while a sheep and a goat are sold between GH¢70 and GH¢150 respectively depending on the size. A bowl (olonka) of locally produced rice sells between GH¢5 and GH¢7, depending on the grade of rice. A smock manufacturer, who gave his name only as Salifu, indicated that depending on the size and quality of material used, a smock might cost between GH¢60 or GH¢150 adding that sales had not been bad at all. Transportation The Christmas season comes with a lot of travelling and this year is no exception. Most public sector workers resident in the region were spotted travelling to their hometowns for the Christmas holidays. At the O.A.Travel and Tours bus station, officials at the terminal told the Daily Graphic that since Wednesday December 19, all services to places such as Accra in the Greater Accra Region and Kumasi in the Ashanti Region have been recording full bookings, adding that the situation had persisted throughout the weekend leading to Christmas day. The situation is no different at the main GPRTU terminal as many passengers were spotted trying to board buses to their hometowns. Officials at the Metro Mass Transit station said they would be running services throughout the holiday period in order to make it possible for people to join their families for the holiday season. At the Intercity STC bus terminal, a notice pasted with regards to the Christmas and New Year operational programme indicated that there would be normal service on all routes on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 for Domestic Bus Service. The company will, however not work on Christmas day but will resume transport service on Boxing Day. The notice, however urged regional and station managers to confer among themselves on changes that might suit the period and make amendments where necessary. Religious leaders The reason for the season is Jesus Christ. The Christian community and the Regional Coordinating Council held a festival of nine lessons and carols at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Catholic Church where choirs of various churches in the regional capital ushered their flock into the Christmas mood. Religious leaders in the region also seized the opportunity to advise people of the region and Ghanaians in general to be optimistic of the future because Ghana had a bright future and that the involvement of every Ghanaian and friends of Ghana was needed to move the nation forward. In separate interactions with various religious leaders in the region, they were hopeful that 2014 would be brighter than 2013. The Chairperson of Upper Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Esmond W. Nagba, said Christmas should be a time of sober reflections adding that Christians must use the period to renew and rededicate their lives to God via the preaching of the gospel’s message of peace and reconciliation. He said the Christmas period must also be a time for people to share love with their neighbours and resolve to be more devoted to God. Rev. Nagba said there was work to be done by all Ghanaians especially Christians who found themselves in leadership stressing that Ghana is looking for a leadership of truth, one that does not compromise and is ready to expose wrongdoing in society. He bemoaned the level of political polarisation permeating the Ghanaian society and prayed that the season will lead to unity. “Let’s eschew all forms of tendencies that will polarise this nation for development to thrive,” Rev. Nagba said. The Bolgatanga District Overseer of the Evangelical Church of Ghana, (ECG), Rev. Samuel Apeligeba advised Christians to come out of their spiritual captivity and slavery during this Christmas season. In an earlier sermon, Rev Apeligeba expressed regret that some Christians had allowed themselves to be driven by worldly things for far too long and said Christmas was the right season for such Christians to seek the face of God for his divine deliverance. Speaking on the theme; “The hope of Christ is coming soon, Rev. Apeligeba also stressed the need for Christians to be mindful of the second coming of Jesus Christ as highlighted in the book of Luke 21:25-33. The Senior Pastor of Fountain Gate Chapel in Bolgatanga, Pastor Eastwood Anaba in his Christmas greetings released on YouTube to friends and partners of the Eastwood Anaba Ministries said although many people were discouraged about many things that might have happened, the grace of God had sustained everyone to this point as we approach the end of the year. He encouraged Christians and the general public to “finish the race, fight the good fight, because in 2014, I believe that the clock will reset and you will make another dash towards your victory” Security The Upper East Regional Minister and Chairman of the Regional Security Council, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru, in a message to the people, wished every citizen the best of the season. He said although the season is characterised with a lot of happiness and reunion, the festivities are normally bedeviled with a lot of security threats in terms of people trying to commit crimes and deprive others of the joy. He gave the assurance that all the necessary security arrangements had been put in place to ensure that people of the region go through the festivities without fear or favour, especially those who will be travelling at night to attend one programme or the other. While assuring all of their security, the regional minister also advised revelers to exercise moderation and be cautious in their celebrations. “We must all be alive to enjoy 2014” he admonished. He appealed to all to cooperate with the police and other security agencies who are out there to ensure the safety of life and property. In the area of development, he conceded that 2013 came with some challenges but was optimistic that with all the groundwork, 2014 will be a prosperous one as a number of developmental projects had been earmarked for implementation in the coming year. http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/14735-harmattan-can-t-deter-us-from-celebrating-xmas-bolga-residents-declare.html

Atongo Zimba urges re-packaging of northern music

Date of Publication; December 14, 2013 DAILY GRAPHIC, GHANA

Ghanaian international musician, Atongo Zimba, has called on young musicians from northern Ghana to focus on indigenous music from northern Ghana and re-package it for bigger appeal. The No Beer in Heaven hit-maker argued that indigenous northern Ghanaian music was comparable to award-winning songs from other parts of the continent that had gained international recognition. “The problem we have here is that we disrespect our own music. If you listen to northern music, you will realise that we are mostly on the track of the likes of Youssou N'Dour, Salif Keita, Baaba Maal and Manu Dibango,” Atongo said during an interview in Bolgatanga. “Music from the northern Ghana is the type Europeans want to hear. Northern music is authentic and organic and must be promoted, ” he said adding that he was ready to contribute his experience to support initiatives that sought to reposition indigenous northern music. Atongo Zimba, together with the famous King Ayisoba and 2012 MTN Hit-Maker finalist, Atimbilla among other artistes, performed last Saturday at the Kofi Charlie Floor of the Bolgatanga Catering Rest House. Atongo Zimba and King Ayisoba lit up the night and treated patrons to some good kologo tunes that got patrons out of their seats to shake off the biting cold associated with the harmattan weather. The show sought to relive the hey days of the defunct Uppers International Band and start a process of reviving the band. Musicians such as Christy Azuma, Nat Awuni and Sammy Young all played for the government- supported band that broke up after the demise of the Kutu Acheampong military regime. Guests at last Saturday’s show included the Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru and his deputy, Daniel Syme. Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru commended the organizers of the programme for their initiative to revive the entertainment scene in the region and pledged the support of the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council. One of the patrons of the idea to retrace the steps of the Old Uppers International Band, Naba Bombiga, who is also the chief of Zaare, spoke of the strides made by the Uppers International Band Chapters 1 and 2 and the nation-wide impact they made. He was hopeful that with the support of all, such success could be replicated http://graphic.com.gh/entertainment/14166-atongo-zimba-urges-re-packaging-of-northern-music.html

People living with HIV bemoan shortages with drugs at ART centres

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The periodic stock-outs of antiretroviral in recent times, lack of vitalfol, a critical drug as well as the lack of regents for CD4 count machines in the Upper East Region has been identified as some of the impediments impeding success towards universal access to HIV prevention and treatment in the Upper East Region. The Regional President of the Network of Persons Living with HIV and AIDS (NAP +GHANA), Madam Comfort Ayamga disclosed this at the Upper East Regional celebration said as the nation reflect upon efforts to accelerate progress and expand access to HIV services, all must endeavour to ensure that universal access to treatment for all persons living with HIV and AIDS becomes a reality. Addressing a gathering on a day that brought together people from around the region to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and demonstrate solidarity in the face of the pandemic, Madam Ayamga said persons living with HIV need and have a right to an environment conducive for the reduction of stigma which kills faster that HIV. She therefore called on all especially the political, traditional and religious leaders as well as the media and other stakeholders to work together in partnership to create a Ghana free of HIV related stigma and discrimination which will lead to the reduction of the spread of the disease. “Universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support and the reduction of stigma and discrimination are issues we all fight for everyday. This year’s theme is “Getting to zero: zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS related deaths” with a sub-national theme being “Accelerating the National Response towards the Millennium Development Goals”. The Deputy Upper East Regional Director of Health Services in charge of Administration, Mr Lucio Dery disclosed that the Regional Health Directorate has started a programme to scale up HIV and AIDS services which focuses in individual around the region having access to HIV prevention, access to treatment, care and support. All this is said will eventually dovetail into the national efforts of getting to zero. He said by the close of this year, four more designated health centers would be providing HIV treatment adding up to 10 already existing sites offering antiretroviral treatment in the region. “These are strategically placed sites that will make HIV drugs accessible to many more people who need,” he said. On elimination of mother -to-child HIV transmission, Mr Dery said all Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) centers up to Community Health Planning Services (CHPS) centers are providing services aimed at prevention of motor to child transmission of HIV. This, he said is targeted to achieve universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support. The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Daniel Syme emphasized the resolve of government to continue in its pursuit of an aggressive public health approach to rendering HIV prevention, treatment, care and maintain support services and appealed to corporate organizations to contribute towards the response to the HIV and AIDS menace. He also cautioned all Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region to ensure that the 0.5 per cent share of the District Assemblies Common Fund(DACF) which is allocated to addressing HIV and AIDS issues are strictly applied for the purpose for which it was created. This admonition come in the face of a recent audit conducted early this year by the Ghana AIDS Commission to determine the compliance of the assemblies on the release of the 0.5 per cent of the DACF which revealed that some assemblies in the region have not complied with the directive for the past two years. Apart from the directive to the assemblies to adhere, Mr Syme proposed that the Ghana AIDS Commission should collaborate with the DACF Administrator to have the mandatory 0.5 percent of the fund deducted at source and paid into the individual accounts of the MMDAs as it is being done for the Disability Fund. -End-

MTN inaugurates ICT center in Bolgatanga

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga MTN Ghana Foundation has inaugurated an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Center and Library for the St. Charles Primary School in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region. The 21-seater capacity ICT facility would serve as computer training center and a reading facility to equip pupils of the school and 10 other surrounding communities with ICT skills and help improve general academic work. The intervention followed an appealed by the school in 2011 during its 85th anniversary celebration to MTN to help transform pupils in the digital divide. The facility was set up at a cost of GH c 128,000 and its forms part of MTN’s contributions towards improvement ICT education in Ghana. Inaugurating the facility, the Executive Secretary of MTN Ghana Foundation, Mr Robert Kuzoe said MTN is dedicated to expanding ICT access to many people especially those in rural and deprived communities adding that the initiative is also to support the implementation of the mandatory ICT component of the new educational reform and to help develop entrepreneurship skills in the youth in Northern Ghana. “The use of the internet and other technologies are crucial to the development of the Ghanaian economy and MTN remains committed to ensuring that our communities are connected.” He said He said in addition to establishment of the ICT facility, MTN Ghana Foundation has invested to the tune of GH c 848,873.37 in various community development projects in the areas of health and education across the region. Some of the Projects embarked in the Upper East region include: donation of an incubator to the Bawku West District Hospital to support quality health delivery, construction of an CHPS compound at Azuribisi, refurbishment of the Zuarungu Health Center and the renovation of a facility for reproductive child health, consulting and administrative office for the Ayamfooya Memorial Clinic as well as sponsorship for 20 schools to participate in the national spelling bee competition for the past three years. Mr Kuzoe appealed the the management of the school to maintain the ICT facility in order to ensure that it is sustained for future generations. Mrs Bibiana Weye, Headmistress of the school who did not hide her excitement expressed gratitude to MTN for supporting the facility. The Municipal Chief Executive for Bolagatanga, Mr Edward Ayagle while commending MTN Ghana Foundation also urged the pupils to seize opportunity and make themselves computer literate even before they progress to the Senior High School level. -End- Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh