The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bawku Central Constituency, Mr. Adamu Daramani Sakande with support from E-Toys and More, is to construct an Ultra Modern Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre for some schools within the municipality.
The facility which will be located within the Winamzua Cluster of Schools when completed will also serve as an Information Resource Centre for schools in the Bawku Central Constituency.
It will also facilitate ICT training and development for interested residents.
Speaking to journalists in Bawku, Mr. Sakande said apart from the external support from E-Toys and More, the facility valued at about GHc20,000 would be funded from his share of the District Assembly Common Fund.
He bemoaned the lack of a well resourced ICT centre in the Bawku Municipality and the inability of schools there to establish their own computer laboratories, which he explained was hindering the teaching and learning of ICT at the junior and senior high school levels.
He expressed the hope that the completion of the project would contribute greatly to the improvement of ICT education in the area.
In a related development, E-Toys and More also donated some teaching and learning materials to the St. Anthony Kindergarten.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
CPP, PNC LEADERSHIP TOLD TO SHUN PAROCHIALISM (PAGE 12, JAN 25, 2011)
THE National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Kwabena Adjei, has stated that members of the party who may foment trouble against the progressive trend of affairs within the party will not be spared.
He said unhealthy rivalry between aspirants would not be tolerated, adding that there was the need for party activists to sacrifice rather than beg for favours in respect of votes because those who looked for favours eventually lost respect and dignity.
Dr Adjei was addressing a regional rally to mark the second anniversary celebration of the coming into power of the Mills’ Administration at Ho at the weekend.
He stressed the need for party activists who were aggrieved with their members of parliament and municipal and district chief executives to resolve their differences in a friendly manner.
A member of the Council of State, Dr Bernard Glover, asked members of the party to come out boldly to defend its tenets to justify the declaration of the action year.
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Joe Gidisu, outlined the road projects for the region, stating that more than enough funds had been mobilised to start the Eastern Corridor road by the second quarter of the year.
He disclosed that four contractors were expected to undertake the job, adding that re-engineering of the Aflao dual carriageway had been awarded and pleaded with the people to exercise restraint since the party would reciprocate efforts of the electorate.
The General Secretary of the party, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia said the party would begin to select candidates within the first quarter of the year after which primaries for members of parliament would be held to be followed by the election of a flag bearer by the end of the year.
Mr Nketia urged party activists to be faithful to the constitution of the party.
The Deputy General Secretary, Mr Kofi Adams, said the victory of the party in the last elections was important because it reversed the suffering and deprivation of majority of the people.
He, therefore, said everybody had a role to play in order to oil the victory machine with a greater sense of unity of purpose.
The Volta Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Amenowode, said the NDC would not depart from its promises to the people, adding that education is the cornerstone of development of the region.
The Regional Chairman, Mr Kwasi Aboagye, said there were a lot of good things to be delivered this year under the action year.
He said unhealthy rivalry between aspirants would not be tolerated, adding that there was the need for party activists to sacrifice rather than beg for favours in respect of votes because those who looked for favours eventually lost respect and dignity.
Dr Adjei was addressing a regional rally to mark the second anniversary celebration of the coming into power of the Mills’ Administration at Ho at the weekend.
He stressed the need for party activists who were aggrieved with their members of parliament and municipal and district chief executives to resolve their differences in a friendly manner.
A member of the Council of State, Dr Bernard Glover, asked members of the party to come out boldly to defend its tenets to justify the declaration of the action year.
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Joe Gidisu, outlined the road projects for the region, stating that more than enough funds had been mobilised to start the Eastern Corridor road by the second quarter of the year.
He disclosed that four contractors were expected to undertake the job, adding that re-engineering of the Aflao dual carriageway had been awarded and pleaded with the people to exercise restraint since the party would reciprocate efforts of the electorate.
The General Secretary of the party, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia said the party would begin to select candidates within the first quarter of the year after which primaries for members of parliament would be held to be followed by the election of a flag bearer by the end of the year.
Mr Nketia urged party activists to be faithful to the constitution of the party.
The Deputy General Secretary, Mr Kofi Adams, said the victory of the party in the last elections was important because it reversed the suffering and deprivation of majority of the people.
He, therefore, said everybody had a role to play in order to oil the victory machine with a greater sense of unity of purpose.
The Volta Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Amenowode, said the NDC would not depart from its promises to the people, adding that education is the cornerstone of development of the region.
The Regional Chairman, Mr Kwasi Aboagye, said there were a lot of good things to be delivered this year under the action year.
Friday, 21 January 2011
APPOINT EXPERIENCED ASSEMBLY MEMBERS AS DCEs (PAGE 12, JAN 21, 2011)
THE Assembly member of the Zorko –Kanga electoral area in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region, Alexis Ayamdor has proposed that experienced assembly members who have worked with the various District Assemblies be selected to become District Chief Executives (DCEs).
Mr. Ayamdor, who retained the seat at the last District Level election, stated in an interview that experienced assembly members when elected as DCEs stood a much better chance of addressing issues relating to development of the Assemblies.
According to him, when experienced persons were appointed to such positions, they would be better placed to deliver since such persons had acquired some level of experience and were more versatile when it comes to the running the administration of the District Assemblies than people who were elected to represent their respective assemblies and had no requisite experiences.
He pointed out that the current practice where the President appointed people to head District Assemblies was not helping the development of the districts and suggested that experienced assembly members should rather be made to contest for the position of DCEs.
This, he indicated, would help encourage assembly members to work harder to increase the output of the assemblies and also make the DCE-elect also become more accountable to the electorate.
Touching on the just ended district level elections, Mr. Ayamdor said despite the numerous public awareness and education, many eligible voters did not show much interest in the electoral process, hence the need to put in place corrective measures to avert such flaws in future elections.
Mr. Ayamdor, who retained the seat at the last District Level election, stated in an interview that experienced assembly members when elected as DCEs stood a much better chance of addressing issues relating to development of the Assemblies.
According to him, when experienced persons were appointed to such positions, they would be better placed to deliver since such persons had acquired some level of experience and were more versatile when it comes to the running the administration of the District Assemblies than people who were elected to represent their respective assemblies and had no requisite experiences.
He pointed out that the current practice where the President appointed people to head District Assemblies was not helping the development of the districts and suggested that experienced assembly members should rather be made to contest for the position of DCEs.
This, he indicated, would help encourage assembly members to work harder to increase the output of the assemblies and also make the DCE-elect also become more accountable to the electorate.
Touching on the just ended district level elections, Mr. Ayamdor said despite the numerous public awareness and education, many eligible voters did not show much interest in the electoral process, hence the need to put in place corrective measures to avert such flaws in future elections.
UPPER EAST BEC CANDIDATES DENIED ADMISSION TO SHSs (PAGE 11, JAN 21, 2011)
THE Headmaster of Bolgatanga Senior High School in the Upper East Region, Mr Didacus Afegra has disclosed that most students in the region who wrote last year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) have been denied admission into second cycle schools due to their inability to write “Gurune” as their examinable subject.
Mr Afegra who said this in an interview in Bolgatanga described the situation as worrying.
He explained that all over the country, the BECE candidates wrote more than one elective subject out of which the best grades in any of the electives was selected and used for grading and placement purposes.
Mr Afegra, who doubles as the Regional Chairman of BONABOTO, a union of residents of Bolgatanga, Nabdam, Bongo and Tongo communities, pointed out that candidates in most second cycle institutions across the region wrote only one elective subject and that those who failed in this elective subject were not placed into senior high schools and technical institutions.
He, therefore, appealed to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo to use his good offices to facilitate the approval and the introduction of the “Gurune Language” as an examinable subject at the final BECE by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC).
Mr Afegra said despite several complaints and appeals to the authorities concerned, nothing concrete had been done. The situation, he lamented, had given rise to youth migration down south since the desire of most students in the region was to get admission to well- endowed second cycle schools across the country.
He, however, stressed the urgent need for the GES and the WAEC to take a quick look at the situation and provide a permanent solution to it to ensure enrolment of more students into the second cycle schools.
He stressed that students in the Gurune speaking areas must be given the chance and necessary encouragement to study the “Gurune language” which was a core component of the culture of the people in the area.
According to him, the region possessed enough reading materials and trained teachers who were capable of teaching the children to pass the examination at the BECE level.
Mr Afegra, however, expressed his outfit’s preparedness in ensuring that the Gurune language was approved for the benefit of students in the region and said this demanded the support of all and sundry.
Mr Afegra who said this in an interview in Bolgatanga described the situation as worrying.
He explained that all over the country, the BECE candidates wrote more than one elective subject out of which the best grades in any of the electives was selected and used for grading and placement purposes.
Mr Afegra, who doubles as the Regional Chairman of BONABOTO, a union of residents of Bolgatanga, Nabdam, Bongo and Tongo communities, pointed out that candidates in most second cycle institutions across the region wrote only one elective subject and that those who failed in this elective subject were not placed into senior high schools and technical institutions.
He, therefore, appealed to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo to use his good offices to facilitate the approval and the introduction of the “Gurune Language” as an examinable subject at the final BECE by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC).
Mr Afegra said despite several complaints and appeals to the authorities concerned, nothing concrete had been done. The situation, he lamented, had given rise to youth migration down south since the desire of most students in the region was to get admission to well- endowed second cycle schools across the country.
He, however, stressed the urgent need for the GES and the WAEC to take a quick look at the situation and provide a permanent solution to it to ensure enrolment of more students into the second cycle schools.
He stressed that students in the Gurune speaking areas must be given the chance and necessary encouragement to study the “Gurune language” which was a core component of the culture of the people in the area.
According to him, the region possessed enough reading materials and trained teachers who were capable of teaching the children to pass the examination at the BECE level.
Mr Afegra, however, expressed his outfit’s preparedness in ensuring that the Gurune language was approved for the benefit of students in the region and said this demanded the support of all and sundry.
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
DELIVER ON YOUR MANDATE...Rev Nagba urges churches (PAGE 46, JAN 20, 2011)
THE Chairperson of the newly created Upper Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Rev. Esmond Wasau Nagba, has urged churches to focus on their core business of evangelism, discipleship and church growth in order to draw more people to God.
Rev. Esmond Wasau Nagba made the call during an induction service for the new Presbytery Clerk, Rev. Martin Lamisi Sebire, at the Peniel Congregation of the PCG in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
Speaking on the theme: “Chosen for the mission of the Father,” Rev. Nagba, said orthodox churches in the country would regain their past glories only if they shunned negative attitudes and demonstrated God’s love through commitment and dedicated services.
The induction service brought together members of the newly created Upper Presbytery.
The Upper Presbytery was carved out of the Northern Presbytery and has Bolgatanga as its main station. It is the 16th Presbytery within the General Assembly of the PCG. It also covers other five districts of northern Ghana, including Wa, Bawku, Gambaga and Garu Tempane.
In his sermon, Rev. Nagba expressed concern about the way the orthodox churches had veered from their core mission and mandate of communicating God’s word to unbelievers through evangelism.
He said in the past, people were attached to the orthodox churches due to the exemplary Christian lifestyles portrayed by its members but “the situation today is nothing to write home about”.
He stressed the need for a greater attitudinal change among the faithful to redeem their lost image.
Rev. Nagba stated that churches must not only preach the good news, but they should also affirm it by the attitude and conduct of their members towards God and mankind.
He called on churches to devote their time to God, charge their congregations to do away with backbiting and the “pull him down” attitude to ensure their growth, both physically and spiritually.
Rev. Nagba also challenged them with the responsibility of sharing God’s word with unbelievers wherever they found themselves.
While inducting Rev. Lamisi Sabire into office, Rev. Nagba tasked the congregants to co-operate with him to ensure his effective administration.
In his acceptance speech, Rev. Lamisi Sebire expressed gratitude to the church for the confidence reposed in him and pledged his commitment to discharge his official duties with humility, faithfulness and obedience to the service of God and the church.
Rev. Esmond Wasau Nagba made the call during an induction service for the new Presbytery Clerk, Rev. Martin Lamisi Sebire, at the Peniel Congregation of the PCG in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
Speaking on the theme: “Chosen for the mission of the Father,” Rev. Nagba, said orthodox churches in the country would regain their past glories only if they shunned negative attitudes and demonstrated God’s love through commitment and dedicated services.
The induction service brought together members of the newly created Upper Presbytery.
The Upper Presbytery was carved out of the Northern Presbytery and has Bolgatanga as its main station. It is the 16th Presbytery within the General Assembly of the PCG. It also covers other five districts of northern Ghana, including Wa, Bawku, Gambaga and Garu Tempane.
In his sermon, Rev. Nagba expressed concern about the way the orthodox churches had veered from their core mission and mandate of communicating God’s word to unbelievers through evangelism.
He said in the past, people were attached to the orthodox churches due to the exemplary Christian lifestyles portrayed by its members but “the situation today is nothing to write home about”.
He stressed the need for a greater attitudinal change among the faithful to redeem their lost image.
Rev. Nagba stated that churches must not only preach the good news, but they should also affirm it by the attitude and conduct of their members towards God and mankind.
He called on churches to devote their time to God, charge their congregations to do away with backbiting and the “pull him down” attitude to ensure their growth, both physically and spiritually.
Rev. Nagba also challenged them with the responsibility of sharing God’s word with unbelievers wherever they found themselves.
While inducting Rev. Lamisi Sabire into office, Rev. Nagba tasked the congregants to co-operate with him to ensure his effective administration.
In his acceptance speech, Rev. Lamisi Sebire expressed gratitude to the church for the confidence reposed in him and pledged his commitment to discharge his official duties with humility, faithfulness and obedience to the service of God and the church.
UPPER EAST PNC CONDEMNS IMC (PAGE 12, JAN 19, 2011)
THE Upper East regional branch of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) has expressed disappointment at the recent impasse and power struggle within the party.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Regional Secretary of the party, Mr Henry Fatchu, said the entire regional and constituency executives of the party were let down by the quest of some people within the party to take over the administration of the party.
The PNC is witnessing some leadership crisis after some aggrieved members under the guise of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) moved to take charge of affairs of the party from the existing national executives.
But such actions, Mr Fatchu said, smacked of a disregard for party structures and disrespect for all the delegates who elected the national officers for a specified period of time.
“As a matter of fact, we as a branch of the party are disassociating our region from their action and have no respect whatsoever for such so-called interim management committee and will not bow to any instructions or dictates from them,” the Regional Secretary said.
He described as ironical the fact that those challenging the authority of the current leadership of the party had no roots but were out there to simply “make empty noise because they have been induced by others only to ridicule the party.”
Mr Fatchu challenged the agitators, stressing that “if they so matter towards the rebuilding of the party, then they should win seats from their constituencies to strengthen the party in Parliament than their individualistic and self seeking interests.”
“As a region, we are pledging our support for the duly elected national officers as our only legally mandated leaders, and therefore, calling on them to work hard and also restructure the party by organising early congress to shape the party in preparedness for the 2012 general elections,” he said.
He said the contribution of Dr Edward Mahama towards the building of the party over the years was incomparable and that the party should regard him as a hero and a great leader who strove to work for the party at all times.
In a related development, the Regional Chairman of the PNC, Alhaji Baba Mohammed, has urged followers of the party to remain calm in the face of the recent wrangling within the party.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga, Alhaji Mohammed described the wrangling as a petty family squabble that would soon be resolved.
He gave the assurance that everything would soon be put to rest. The PNC enjoys good support in the Bolgatanga Constituency, which has seen the party win the parliamentary seat in the 2000 and 2004 general elections.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Regional Secretary of the party, Mr Henry Fatchu, said the entire regional and constituency executives of the party were let down by the quest of some people within the party to take over the administration of the party.
The PNC is witnessing some leadership crisis after some aggrieved members under the guise of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) moved to take charge of affairs of the party from the existing national executives.
But such actions, Mr Fatchu said, smacked of a disregard for party structures and disrespect for all the delegates who elected the national officers for a specified period of time.
“As a matter of fact, we as a branch of the party are disassociating our region from their action and have no respect whatsoever for such so-called interim management committee and will not bow to any instructions or dictates from them,” the Regional Secretary said.
He described as ironical the fact that those challenging the authority of the current leadership of the party had no roots but were out there to simply “make empty noise because they have been induced by others only to ridicule the party.”
Mr Fatchu challenged the agitators, stressing that “if they so matter towards the rebuilding of the party, then they should win seats from their constituencies to strengthen the party in Parliament than their individualistic and self seeking interests.”
“As a region, we are pledging our support for the duly elected national officers as our only legally mandated leaders, and therefore, calling on them to work hard and also restructure the party by organising early congress to shape the party in preparedness for the 2012 general elections,” he said.
He said the contribution of Dr Edward Mahama towards the building of the party over the years was incomparable and that the party should regard him as a hero and a great leader who strove to work for the party at all times.
In a related development, the Regional Chairman of the PNC, Alhaji Baba Mohammed, has urged followers of the party to remain calm in the face of the recent wrangling within the party.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Bolgatanga, Alhaji Mohammed described the wrangling as a petty family squabble that would soon be resolved.
He gave the assurance that everything would soon be put to rest. The PNC enjoys good support in the Bolgatanga Constituency, which has seen the party win the parliamentary seat in the 2000 and 2004 general elections.
Monday, 17 January 2011
ALCOHOL ABUSE WORRIES BUILSA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL (PAGE 35, JAN 17, 2011)
THE Builsa Traditional Council in the Upper East Region is deeply worried at the rising incidence of alcoholism in the area.
It has, therefore, urged the youth to eschew the habit of excessive drinking and rather venture into more profitable ventures such as agriculture.
The district has, for the past four years, produced farmers who have won national awards during the National Farmers Day celebrations, and the council believes many more potential best farmers could emerge from the area if only the youth will put their efforts into that venture.
“We, the chiefs, wish to urge the youth who are the future leaders to put an end to alcohol consumption because it does not speak well of us and it does no honour to our ancestors,” the council stressed.
The Regent of Sandema and acting Paramount Chief of Builsa, Nansuing Nab Alex Azantilow, said this at the recent annual Feok Festival of the chiefs and people of Builsa at Sandema.
The theme for the celebration, which is aimed at giving thanks to the ancestors of the area for a prosperous year, was: “Harnessing the natural resources of Builsa for better development.”
The regent commended the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for assisting livestock farmers in the area with a number of sheep, aimed at improving the local livestock breed.
He called for an enhancement in the package to ensure that many more people benefited from that facility.
Nansuing Azantilow commended the government for selecting Builsa to benefit from improved health facilities, adding that it would bring better health care services to the doorsteps of the people.
He stressed that when the people were strong, they would produce more food to feed themselves and the rest of the country.
Nansuing Azantilow, however, bemoaned the fact that in spite of the contributions of Builsa to the national cause such as enlisting many citizens from the area into the Gold Coast Armed Forces and later the British Army to fight in the first and second world wars, little had been done to honour those gallant men who lost their lives in the struggle.
He, therefore, called for the construction of a befitting veterans’ halls as well as the building of a modern police station in memory of all those who lost their lives.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo, said the government was aware of the Builsa District’s potential and was, therefore, poised to open up the area to promote socio-economic activities that would help reduce poverty among the people.
He said under a DANIDA, funded programme, approval had been given for the construction of a bridge over River Sisilii at Doninga to link the region with the Upper West as an alternate and shorter route to Wa.
The regent reassured the people that the Chuchuliga-Sandema road, which had been a major concern of the people for a very long time, had been repackaged and awarded to a competent contractor for rehabilitation.
The Builsa District Chief Executive, Mr Norbert Awulley, earlier in a welcoming address, said the assembly was working out a strategy to formalise the operations of a number of small scale miners (galamsey operators) in the district.
He said the miners would be equipped with the requisite scientific knowledge, equipment and skills and their operations streamlined so that their activities would not adversely affect the environment.
It has, therefore, urged the youth to eschew the habit of excessive drinking and rather venture into more profitable ventures such as agriculture.
The district has, for the past four years, produced farmers who have won national awards during the National Farmers Day celebrations, and the council believes many more potential best farmers could emerge from the area if only the youth will put their efforts into that venture.
“We, the chiefs, wish to urge the youth who are the future leaders to put an end to alcohol consumption because it does not speak well of us and it does no honour to our ancestors,” the council stressed.
The Regent of Sandema and acting Paramount Chief of Builsa, Nansuing Nab Alex Azantilow, said this at the recent annual Feok Festival of the chiefs and people of Builsa at Sandema.
The theme for the celebration, which is aimed at giving thanks to the ancestors of the area for a prosperous year, was: “Harnessing the natural resources of Builsa for better development.”
The regent commended the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for assisting livestock farmers in the area with a number of sheep, aimed at improving the local livestock breed.
He called for an enhancement in the package to ensure that many more people benefited from that facility.
Nansuing Azantilow commended the government for selecting Builsa to benefit from improved health facilities, adding that it would bring better health care services to the doorsteps of the people.
He stressed that when the people were strong, they would produce more food to feed themselves and the rest of the country.
Nansuing Azantilow, however, bemoaned the fact that in spite of the contributions of Builsa to the national cause such as enlisting many citizens from the area into the Gold Coast Armed Forces and later the British Army to fight in the first and second world wars, little had been done to honour those gallant men who lost their lives in the struggle.
He, therefore, called for the construction of a befitting veterans’ halls as well as the building of a modern police station in memory of all those who lost their lives.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo, said the government was aware of the Builsa District’s potential and was, therefore, poised to open up the area to promote socio-economic activities that would help reduce poverty among the people.
He said under a DANIDA, funded programme, approval had been given for the construction of a bridge over River Sisilii at Doninga to link the region with the Upper West as an alternate and shorter route to Wa.
The regent reassured the people that the Chuchuliga-Sandema road, which had been a major concern of the people for a very long time, had been repackaged and awarded to a competent contractor for rehabilitation.
The Builsa District Chief Executive, Mr Norbert Awulley, earlier in a welcoming address, said the assembly was working out a strategy to formalise the operations of a number of small scale miners (galamsey operators) in the district.
He said the miners would be equipped with the requisite scientific knowledge, equipment and skills and their operations streamlined so that their activities would not adversely affect the environment.
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