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

A look at the Tourism sector in the Upper East Region

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Upper East Region is well endowed with tourist attractions. There are therefore several potential tourists’ sites/ destinations in the region. Notable among them are the Crocodile Pond at Paga, the Kulungungu bomb site where an assassination attempt was made on Ghana first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah in the 1960’s, the Tongo Hills and the Tensuk Shrine, and the Bolgatanga museum, Other interesting sites are, the Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Basilica of the Catholic Church at Navrongo, the Naa Gbewaa shrine at Pusiga, the Woriyanga Mosque, archeological treasures of river Sissili Basin and the drumming rocks of Pwalugu and Chiana. The culture of the people is projected through the medium of art, music and drama which are displayed during major festivals such as “ Ndaakoya, Samanpiid, and Feok” for the Grunne, Kusasi, Kassena and Builsa respectively. Despite these huge potential, the region lacks the necessary infrastructure to attract tourists. To develop this sector therefore, there is the need to improve the necessary infrastructure and ancillary services to support the industry. These 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. Some of the attractive site identified by this reporter that will require the Widnaba Eco-Tourism Site. The stunning scenic 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, in the past, he used to earn some good money as a result of the influx of tourist who flock the area to have that magical experience. “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 natures 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. There is also the Kulungungu Bomb site. This is where the first President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Survived a grenade attack on 1st August, 1962 when returning from then Upper Volta, now Burkina Faso. Over the years, the statue planted at a section of the town as a memorial has deteriorated. Recently, as a result of a road construction works, the statue have had to be removed to pave way for the construction. This action, a section of the resident believes will deprived the town it's place in history and called for something concrete to be done to immortalise the memory of the first president of Ghana in the town. Isaiah Abass, a resident said even as September 21, has been declared Founders Day, the country should be able to construct a museum and a library of sort exhibiting relics of Dr. Nkrumah could be built to preserve the memory of the late President. One can also mentioned the Naa Gbewaa Shrine located in 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 center, 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. Next is the Woriyanga Mosque, in the Garu-Tempane District. This Woriyanga community hosts an ancient Sudanese architecture mosque akin to the famous Laribanga mosque. Sad to say this facility has not received that much attention even though its wields the potential of being good tourist site. The mosque although still in use by the local community needs some renovation to prevent it from crumbling and losing that antique touch Ghana Tourism Authority Response. In an interview with the acting Upper Regional Manager of the GTA, Alhaji Hakeem Ishmael, said development activities at tourist attractions in the region are dependent on community input, local workmanship, and communal labour. He noted that said the lack of investment in the tourism sector in the region by District and Municipal Assemblies was affecting the growth of the tourism sector in the region. He said if only assemblies would adopt and pump resources to develop the available tourist sites, the district assemblies in the region could rake higher internal revenue to support their development programmers. He said the GTA is ready to partner the local assemblies by 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. As noted by the Deputy Regional Minister, Mr. Daniel Syme at an investment promotion campaign in Bolgatanga, recently to sensitize entrepreneurs, heads of departments, Municipal and District Coordinating Directors, Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region on development strategies and how to harness the potentials available, the existence of many potentials including the crafts including straw baskets, leather and smock weaving industries, the tourist sites such as the Paga Crocodile pond, Pikworo Slave Camp, Tongo Hills and Tensuk Shrine as some of the potentials the region should be enough catalyst potential investors to take advantage of these avenues to invest in the region. That way they will be contributing to reducing the high level of poverty and hardship among the people of the region. Also Municipal and District Chief Executives in whose jurisdiction sites falls, must make it a point to give priority attention to the development of the tourist sites in the region in order to rake in the benefits. -End- Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh / glovben@yahoo.com Fact File The Upper East region is located in the north-eastern corner of Ghana and bordered byBurkina Faso to the north and Togo to the east. It lies between longitude 00 and 10 West, and latitudes 100 30”N and 110N. The region shares boundaries with Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, Upper West Region to the west, and the Northern Region to the south. The region is divided into 13 districts, each headed by a chief executive. Like the other parts of northern Ghana, the people of the Upper East Region are predominantly peasant farmers. Much of the farming is done in the short rainy season with the long dry season as a period of preparation towards farming in the wet season. Around Bolgatanga, the regional capital and surrounding areas, baskets, straw hats, straw bags, smocks, and other leather materials constitute a major source of income for a significant number of people in these areas. Blacksmithing is also another activity in many areas of the region. Much of the blacksmithing is the traditional type. They produce hoes, axes, ploughs, donkey carts, beds, etc for sale. Lack of capital to purchase equipment has been a major problem in this business. Notable festivals are the Feok for the Builsas, Fao for the Kassenas, Bugum for the Kusasi and Mamprusi and Samanpiid for the Kusasi. These are colourful festivals and their celebrations attract a lot of visitors. The festivals are also used by the people to solicit government support for development. In the Upper East Region, poverty is endemic. Almost 9 out of 10 citizens in the region are poor. In many areas of the Upper East Region, especially the rural areas, the situation of the poorest has worsened and inequality has increased. The poverty in the region can be described as rural, and it is associated with landlessness mainly due to population pressure, irregular source of incomes, lack of access to facilities and amenities. “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.” Alhaji Hakeem Ishmael, acting Upper Regional Manager of the GTA.