Bongo: Traders alarmed at lack of sanitary facilities

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

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

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

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

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

UE observe 56th Independence Day with parade

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

UE records reduction in HIV prevalence rate

Story:Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga HIV prevalence rate among pregnant women in the Upper East Region have reduced over the years from 3.2 in 2006 to 2.4 in 2010 and 1.5 in 2011. Dr John Koku Awoonor-Williams, Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service has disclosed. He said at the same time, the region's preventing mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV sites increased from 45 in in 2006 to 163 in 2012 making prevention of new HIV infections services more accessible to the target populations. "While I take the opportunity to commend all Budget Management Centers (BMCs)on these achievements, we need more behavioral change practices and scale up of adolescent and sexual health interventions to enable us sustain this downward trend in HIV prevalence in the region." Dr. Awoonor-Williams said. The Regional Director of Health Services said this during a four-day Regional annual performance review meeting at Bolgatanga. The meeting themed:"Achieving service coverage through quality data: the impact of health information management management systems implementation" sought to appraise the region’s performance in healthcare delivery in the previous year and to strategize on how improve on its services. He said the drive to moreover health infrastructure for accelerated health gains received significant boost in 2012 adding that PMTCT centres were a accordingly completed in Yinduri, Navrongo Central and Kurugu in the Kassena-Nankana Wst District. He said Community Health Planning and Services ( CHPS) compounds has been provided at Aloko in the Garu-Tempane District, Gambigo in the Bolgatanga Municipality, Yarigu in the Bawku West District and Anafobisi in the Bongo District. He disclosed that functional CHPS zones increased from 87 in 2008 to 117 in 2012 representing 86 percent increase over a 4-year period due to a determined effort and focus to reach a larger population and address geographical access disparities. In spite of these strides, Dr. Awoonor-Willaims said inadequate human resource continue to affect the quality of health service delivery in the Upper East Region despite planned sustained efforts by the regional health sector to address the challenge with the worse affected being the district health facilities as doctors, nurses and other health professionals continue to refuse postings to the region. He said all nine doctors posted to the region in 2012 failed to report while one doctor vacated post. He said additionally, a total of 42 health professionals were posted out of the region in compliance with Ghana Health Service new staff placement with regards to nurses and midwives. On the contrary, he said only four staff were posted to the region from headquarters in return. "This is a flawed policy. We will continue initiatives to help attract and retain staff in the region including the three year minimum bond years for staff, that is nurses and midwives, graduating from health training schools in the region."He said A former Director-General of the GHS, Dr Elias Sory who was a guest of honour commended the leadership of the Regional Health Directorate particularly, Dr Awoonor-Williams for his role in addressing most of the pressing health challenges affecting the region. He noted even in he face of human resource and infrastructural deficit, the region through prudent managerial policies has made remarkable strides in scaling up most CHPS Compounds which have been helpful in improving the quality of health of the rural communities. He also stressed the need for decentralization of recruitment process so Regional Health Directors can be resources and empowered to hire and fire personnel. -End-

A look at some Eco Tourism Sites in UE

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

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

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