CPP WILL BRING PROSPERITY — NDUOM (PAGE 17)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga

THE Presidential Candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, has stated that the only party that could bring economic prosperity to the country was the CPP.
He has, therefore, called on the electorate to vote for it to solve the country's economic problems.
Dr Nduom said this when he addressed members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU ) and interacted with market women in Bolgatanga as part of his campaign tour to the Upper East Region to introduce himself to stakeholders in the area, outline his vision to them and seek their mandate.
The tour took him to Bolgatanga, Sandema, Navrongo, Zuarungu as well as Paga and Bongo.
Dr Nduom expressed his appreciation to the party's delegates and supporters for electing him as the flag bearer.
He reiterated his vision to revitalise the defunct Zuarungu Meat Factory within the first 100 days of his presidency to provide jobs for the people.
“We have come to reclaim our territory and give hope to the people,” he said, adding that after years of both the NDC and the NPP, it is time Ghanaians gave the CPP the chance to prove what it can do for the people.”
He said the CPP had all the human and material resources to run the country and urged the electorate not to make the wrong choice by not voting for the CPP in the December elections.
Earlier at a meeting with officers of the GPRTU, the Upper East Regional Industrial Relations Officer of the union, Mr Mohammed Siitah Abubakari, debunked assertions that the union was in bed with one political party, the NDC.
“The union was in existence long before the NDC. What the party did was to support us acquire more buses to run our business; beyond that there is nothing. We are prepared to work with any political party that is prepared to work with us,” he said.
Dr Nduom had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Bolgatanga Traditional Area, Naba Martin Abilba II, who commended the candidate for offering himself to lead the country and wished him well.
The CPP flag bearer was accompanied by the General Secretary of the party, Mr Ivor Greenstreet, and other leading members of the party. 

SELECT MATURE, EXPERIENCED CANDIDATES — GREENSTREET (PAGE 15)

STORY: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga

THE General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Mr Ivor Greenstreet, has urged constituency executives and supporters of the party in all the 13 constituencies in the Upper East Region to select politically mature, experienced and convincing candidates from their constituencies to stand as parliamentary candidates.
Mr Greenstreet, who was in the region in the company of Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, presidential candidate of the CPP, explained that the forward march of the party required persons who could clearly articulate the vision and policies of the party, as it sought to regain power after the December polls.
“In the past, our party has not been as well organised as it should have been. With the current crop of leaders, things are beginning to change, and we need people who will champion that cause,” Mr Greenstreet said.
The general secretary said these when he interacted with leaders of the party at the Upper East Regional Office of the CPP yesterday.
The meeting was aimed at discussing and formulating strategies that could put the party in a better position as the December presidential and parliamentary elections drew nearer.
The CPP currently has no representative from the Upper East Region in Ghana’s 230 Members of Parliament.
Mr Greenstreet urged the constituency executives not to focus only on men, but also scout for women who were confident and competent to represent the party in Parliament.
Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom said Ghanaians had experienced both the National Democratic Party (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) governments and would want to have the CPP as an alternative change to salvage the people from their plight.
He made specific reference to the calibre of CPP leaders who, he said, were accomplished men and women, capable of solving any problem, and appealed to the people to vote for the CPP to redeem them from their woes.
“I, and indeed, the entire team in the CPP, are in this race to win. We want to take back Ghana and give it to the ordinary Ghanaians,” he said, while calling on voters to re-examine their economic status and vote for the CPP.

DOCTOR'S CAR BURNT IN BAWKU (PAGE 14)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga

A Vehicle belonging to the medical officer of the Bawku Hospital, Dr Francis Asana, was set ablaze on Monday by a group of young men in the third day of renewed conflict in Bawku.
Abanga Akudugu, the driver of the Mitsubishi pick-up, escaped unhurt.
Abanga, a Kusasi, was said to have driven to Natinga, a predominantly Mamprusi area, to do some shopping when the car was attacked and set on fire.
Dr Asana is also a Kusasi.
The burning of the car was seen as retaliation for the alleged hijacking and burning of a cargo truck at Binaba earlier.
The incident came after six rooms in four houses had been completely burnt down and a cargo truck, as well as a welding shop, set ablaze over the weekend.
A police source told the Daily Graphic that about 2.00 p.m. on Monday, rumours went round Bawku that a truck belonging to a Moshie had been hijacked by some Kusasis at Binaba and burnt.
The police source said just around that time, Dr Asana’s car, which had gone to the centre of the town, was spotted and burnt.
When the Upper East Regional Police Commander, Mr Victor Seth Agbetornyo, was contacted, he confirmed the story and said the police were investigating.
Earlier on Sunday, a welding shop was set ablaze around Mognori in the Bawku Municipality.
Mr Agbetornyo said the incident occurred about 6.00 p.m.
He said efforts by security personnel who were patrolling the streets to arrest the suspects — three unidentified persons on a motorbike — yielded no results as the three sped off.
Still in Bawku, some unidentified armed men were alleged to have stormed Sabongeri, a predominantly Kusasi community, and fired a series of warning shots about 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
According to the Regional Crime Officer, four houses were also set ablaze. However, residents of the area were able to bring the fire under control.
Mr Agbetornyo renewed his appeal to warring factions in the area to allow peace to prevail and urged the people, especially the opinion leaders, to commit themselves to the communiqué adopted after last Tuesday’s peace dialogue held in Bolgatanga.
Meanwhile, an 18-year-old man, Issaka Fuseini, who claims to be a carpenter at Bawku, is in the grips of the police for allegedly possessing ammunition.
Mr Agbetornyo told the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga, that Issaka was arrested on February 15, 2008 after breaking curfew hours.
He said a search on him revealed one G3 ammunition, a military camouflage cap with a badge, as well as an axe.
He said the suspect would soon be arraigned.

MINISTER VISITS SICK CHILDREN ON VAL'S DAY (MIRROR, PAGE 30)

From Benjamin Xornam Glover,
Bolgatanga

The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs. Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia has reiterated that rather than abusing Saint Valentine's Day, it was time people used it to care for one another in the community.
She said this after touring the Children’s Ward of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital on February 14, 2008, a day universally known as Saint Valentine’s Day, on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine cards or candy.
Accompanied by the Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Women, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Ms. Paulina Abayage, the Deputy Regional Minister distributed gifts to the in-patients. The items included biscuits, packs of fruit drinks and used clothing
They were conducted round the hospital by the Medical Director, Dr. Adoko Ameer.
Mrs. Chigabatia explained that Valentine’s Day should not only be devoted to romance and love-making but an opportunity for people to share and show compassion for the underprivileged in society.
She commended the doctors and nurses at the hospital for their hard work despite the many challenges they faced and urged them to keep it up
The Medical Officer was full of praise to the Deputy Regional Minister visit which he said would go a long way to contribute to the quick recovery of the in patients.
As part of the activities marking the day, Mrs. Chigabatia in the company of Ms. Abayage also visited the Sirigu Children’s Orphanage where she interacted with the children and later distributed confectionery to them.
The day was rounded off with a visit to Chiana-Kanania, where the Deputy Minister presented some items to a woman and her set of quadruplets.

TALENSI-NABDAM ASSEMBLY HOLDS MEETING (PAGE 23)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Tongo

THE Talensi-Nabdam District in the Upper East Region mobilised GH¢37,104.75 from its internally generated source of revenue in 2007, representing 79.17 per cent of its projected target of GH¢46, 866.
The acting District Chief Executive (DCE), Mrs Agnes Asangalisa Chigabatia, made this known at the first ordinary meeting of the second session of the assembly this year at Tongo.
Mrs Chigabatia, who is also the Deputy Regional Minister, stated that approval had been given for the recruitment of seven honest, dedicated and hard working people as revenue collectors to help improve the financial situation of the assembly.
She said during the year under review, the assembly received GH¢293,000 under the Canadian International Development Agency/District Wide Assistant Project for the construction of two sets of projects in the district.
According to Mrs Chigabatia, one set of the projects amounting to GH¢49,000 was for the provision of structures in areas affected by the recent floods, which` include the Yameriga and Zanlerigu primary schools and the Shia community clinic.
She said the construction of the Tongo Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation System under the Community Water and Sanitation Programme was progressing steadily.
The acting DCE gave the assurance that very soon, residents of Tongo and its environs would enjoy potable water in their homes.
She expressed concern about the delay of contractors working on various projects in the district, and appealed to them to do the right thing or have their contracts terminated.
Meanwhile, members of the District Assembly have appealed to the government to rename the Bolgatanga Senior High School (SHS), Winkongo SHS.
The assembly member for Winkongo, who moved the motion, said the continuous use of the name Bolgatanga SHS long after the creation of the Talensi-Nabdam District, was causing agitation among the people of the area on whose land the school is built.
He said the school was originally started on the premises of Zuarungu Middle Boarding School in 1970 but was later moved to Winkongo under the name Winkongo Secondary Technical School.
According to him, in 1974 when the school was about to be inaugurated, the name of the school was changed to Bolgatanga Secondary School without any consultation with the chiefs and opinion leaders.
 Mr Aduko said the motion had become necessary because there had been agitation from the chiefs for the reversal of the name of the school.
Commenting on the issue, the Member of Parliament for Talensi, Mr John Tia, said the argument that the school was a regional one “fell flat on the face” because there were similar regional schools which bore the name of the communities in which they were located.
He, therefore, added his voice to calls for the re-naming of the school.
When the matter was later put to vote, 28 assembly members out of the 30 present, voted in favour of the motion with none voting against while two members abstained.
 Mr Tia later commended the assembly members for their corporation and entreated them to work as a team to enhance the development of the area.

MP DONATES AMBULANCE TO HEALTH CENTRE (PAGE 20)

Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Binduri

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for the Binduri Constituency in the Upper East Region, Mr Mark Anthony Awuni, has handed over an ambulance to the Binduri Health Centre.
The ambulance, worth GH¢20,000, was acquired by the MP from his share of the constituency development fund.
Mr Awuni also donated two hospital beds and other disposables to the health centre.
At a brief ceremony to hand over the items, Mr Awuni said the donation became necessary because the Binduri Health Centre had over the years, handled health problems with extreme difficulties, especially when it came to referrals.
He noted with concern that in some cases, patients who needed immediate medical attention at the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital had to be transported on bicycles, motorbikes and donkey carts, which was dangerous to the health of the victims.
Mr Awuni expressed the hope that with the donation of the new ambulance, emergency cases would be responded to swiftly to prevent untimely deaths or complications due to delays in transporting patients.
He said plans were far advanced to present another ambulance to meet the health needs of the people in the Zawse-Bansi area.
Touching on some development projects for the constituency, the MP said through his share of the common fund, some schools had been rehabilitated to enhance teaching and learning.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bawku, Mr Abdulai Abanga, thanked the MP for the gesture and urged the people to make maximum use of the facility.
The Municipal Director of Health Services, Dr William Doudu, also expressed his appreciation to the MP for the donation.
He implored the people to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme in order to benefit from free but quality health care.

PRESBY CHURCH INAUGURATES AREA HEALTH BOARD (PAGE 32)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga

A 17-member Area Health Board of the Northern Presbytery Health Services of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) has been inaugurated to oversee the activities of institutions under the church’s health activities in the region.
The Northern Presbytery Area Health Board is one of the four being operated by the church, and is responsible for all health activities undertaken by the church’s health institutions.
The functions of the board are setting objectives to be translated into annual operating and financial plans, monitoring of performance, planning and creation of new health institutions in the respective areas of operation and making of recommendations to the PCG Committee of Health and Environment.
Members of the board, chaired by Rev Kwesi Addai Naami, the Northern Presbytery Chairperson of the PCG, include Rev Fei Hyeamang, the District Minister of the PCG, Bolgatanga; Chief Edward Abugbilla Atia of the Ghana Health Service, Bolgatanga; Dr Mensah Afful, the Builsa District Director of Health Services; and Mr Abubakar Azinim of the Bawku Traditional Council.
The rest, who are ex-officio members are the Medical Administrator of the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital, the Principal of the Bawku Nurses’ Training College, the Presbyterian Health Co-ordinators for Bolgatanga, Salaga and Bawku, the Bawku Hospital Accounts Manager and a Legal Practitioner, Mr Amok Afoko.
The Clerk of the General Assembly of the PCG, Rev Herbert A. Oppong, who inaugurated the board, said currently the PCG was the third after the government and the Roman Catholic Church in the provision of health service in the country.
He said the biggest challenge facing the church was the increasing demand for health services by the rural communities within which the church operated in the face of dwindling donor support.
“Time and again our partners have been drawing our attention to their inability to generate funds for our health and HIV/AIDS programmes. The alarm bells have been sounding louder of late, and it is about time the church identified new sources of funding for its health programme,” he said.
Rev Oppong, therefore, implored the board to assist the church in that regard.
He said with the inception of the National Health Insurance Scheme, the various health institutions of the church were improving their internally generated funds.
The General Assembly Clerk commended members of the board for accepting the responsibility in the face of the many challenges and expressed the hope that they would prove equal to the task.
On behalf of the board, Rev. Addai-Naami was expressed appreciation to the church for the trust reposed in them and promised to excel in the discharge of their duties.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, Mr Isaac Nsor Amoah, in a speech read on his behalf, thanked the PCG for its great contribution towards health care in the country as a whole and the region in particular.
“But for the conflict in Bawku, the Presbyterian Hospital could be described as a regional hospital because of the specialised services it provides, not only for citizens of Ghana, but also for people from the neighbouring countries,” he said.