Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Personnel engaged under the aforestation programme initiated by Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) and ACI Construction Company has lauded government for the programmes which will help in protecting the vegetative cover and also create employment and enhance livelihoods. The project is a collaborative effort between Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) and ACI Construction Company, a subsidiary of the AGAMS Group of Companies and it is being operated under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) over a 5 year period. The initiative seeks to plant an initial Five (5) million seedlings of assorted trees within the 50 districts of the SADA ecological zone, namely the Upper East, Upper West, Northern regions as well as Northern parts of Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions. Speaking on the sidelines of a tour of the project sites by the Chief Executives of SADA, Alhaji Gilbert Iddi, some of the young men and women recruited under the programme told the Daily Graphic that the programme will no doubt improve lives, restore the vegetation of the area and protect the natural resources of the area. Nsobila Awuni told the Daily Graphic that the intervention in the community has helped improve their lives and also afforded them the opportunity to protect their water bodies. The C.E.O of SADA visited the project sites in the Upper East Region, the namely Pusu Namongo, Winkogo and Vea under the pilot phase to monitor the progress of the project. Alhaji Iddi described the project as one of the key components under SADA initiative and urged personnel to take it seriously in making it a success. He said the project will not only help solve the deforestation issues but will also create employment. He disclosed that at least 100 youth from each district of the region will be offered the opportunity and resourced and trained in the planting and nurturing of the trees and therefore urged all Municipal and District assemblies in the region to embrace the concept. “This intervention is the first step. Eventually, we at SADA will want to have all our major rivers dredged. When that is done, we will be able to control the flood problems and its attendant destruction and loss of lives and property that has affected this region over the past ten years”, he said. He disclosed that management of SADA have signed a memorandum of understanding with two institutions, namely the Volta River Authority and Wienco Ghana for the possible construction of a multi-purpose dam at Pwalugu and Sisilli Kulpong for both hydroelectric power generation and irrigation farming. These interventions, he said when carried out will better the lives and reduce poverty in the catchment area. He urged the personnel recruited to work on the pilot phase of the project to attached seriousness to the project. He added that the intervention will also target school and institutions like the prisons, who will be provided technical assistance to grow and nurture trees. The Project Manager of ACI Construction, Mr. Polycarp Kazaresem said the purpose of intervention is to transform the SADA zone is to transformed the north into a forest zone, adding that they have they have the expertise and the resources to carry out the project. “We are going to train the people on how to cater for the trees, teach them to understand the tree language and ensure that the objectives set are met”, He said. -End- July 31, 2012

Bawku reacts to sentencing of MP

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bawku Family members and supporters of the convicted Member of Parliament for the Bawku Central constituency in the Upper East Region are distraught at the conviction of their representative in parliament. Speaking to some supporters of the New Patriotic Party, (NPP), in Bawku, they said although they are troubled at the outcome of the legal tussle, they are optimistic lawyers for the MP will work hard at securing the freedom of the MP through an appeal. Mr Adamu Dramani was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment for each of the three counts of perjury, deceit of a public officer and false declaration of office Mr. Mohammed Tahiru Nambe, a family member of the MP said even though they are shocked they are in touch with lawyers of the MP in order to see the way forward. During a tour of Natinga and other suburbs of Bawku, some supporters of the jailed MP were seen sitting in groups discussing the imprisonment of their MP. They were visibly shocked at the ruling. They however vowed to explore all legitimate means and strategy to ensure that the opposition NPP retain the seat irrespective of the latest court ruling. The jailed MP was retained by the NPP as the parliamentary candidate for the December elections and according to the supporters, they least expected that he will be the incarcerated. They however pledged to work hard to ensure that the NPP retain the seat no matter what. Reacting to rumors that people were jostling to replace the MP in the race for parliament, Mr. Nambe said this is not the time for people to fight for the candidature for the constituency but rather a period for all to work hard to secure the freedom of the incarcerated MP. Meanwhile, executives of the NPP in the Bawku Central Constituency, has cautioned party supporters to remain calm as they explore ways secure the freedom of the MP. The Bawku Central Constituency Secretary of the NPP, Amadu Hamza expressed optimism that the legal team will do all it can have the MP released on bail. July 30,2012

Frustrated G.C.B. demand better services

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Frustrated clients of the Bolgatanga Branch of the Ghana Commercial Bank have asked management of the bank to take steps at improving its services and ensuring a quick and seamless banking experience. Speaking to the Daily Graphic on Monday morning where a huge crowd had built up in and outside the banking hall, frustrated customers said they do not see the reason why till date, management o f the bank has not found the need to open more branches in the region to take care of its numerous clients. “They must keep in mind that banking is a competitive business, and customer service is critical to improving customer satisfaction” said one of the clients. Ghana Commercial Bank operates three branches in the region; these are the Bolgatanga, Navrongo, and Bawku Branch. However, the Bolgatanga branch experiences regular long queues as clients of the bank who are mainly teachers, civil and public servants, nurses among others crowd in there. Sometimes long after banking hours, customers could be seen queuing in the banking hall awaiting their turn to be served. Some of the clients said their difficulties and frustration are further aggravated by regular link failure and breakdown of the ATM machines. They therefore called on the management to find innovative ways of improving customer service. Hajia Azumi Zakaria,, the Bolgatanga branch Manager of the bank, had in an interaction revealed that the bank was exploring ways of opening a new branch in the Bolgatanga municipality to improve on the current situation. -End- July 30, 2012

Fountain Gate International School hold graduation ceremony

Story & Pix : Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Fountain Gate International School in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region has held a ceremony in which 81 Kindergarten two (KG2) pupils were graduated into primary one while another 42 primary six pupils were graduated into Junior High School. The graduation ceremony which was characterized by several activities including poetry recitals, debate, drama, singing and cultural performances was attended by pupils, teachers and parents. Rev. Mrs. Rosemond Anaba, Director of the school in her speech advised the pupils to take bold steps to surmount all obstacles that come their way because they have what it takes to do so. She said in each of them lies the seed of greatness and conscious efforts must be made by pupils, teachers and parents to nurture these children to become great men and women. Rev. Mrs Anaba said though the 2011 BECE examination results were generally not encouraging across the country, Fountain Gate International School recorded a hundred per cent pass with aggregate 7 as the highest grade and aggregate 15 being the lowest. She said the school also participated in a number of competing national competitions, including spelling competition and won two gold medals and one bronze medal. The pupils also made donations to the children’s ward of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital as part of their social responsibility. This she said was to inculcate in them the discipline and grace of giving back to their community. She admonished parents to increase parental involvement in the training of the pupils. She appealed to parents to contribute their time and resources towards the training and moulding of the pupils. Rev. Mrs Anaba expressed concern about the lackadaisical attitude of some parents towards the development of their children education and encouraged parents to pay regular visits to the school to check on the performance of their ward. The Regional Desk Officer in charge of Private Schools, Mrs Janet Kpan, emphasised that education remains the only key in unlocking the poverty situation of the region and therefore urged parents to invest in training their wards and helping them attain the highest heights on the educational ladder. She lauded the school, which she described as one of the best in the region. She also acknowledged the role of teachers in the school, for helping shape the future of the children. She urged pupils graduating from one class to another to be mindful of the challenges ahead and commit themselves to studying hard to bring out the very best in them. Pupils and teachers who excelled during the term were also awarded for their hard work. -end- July 30, 2012

MTTU trains personnel

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga The Commanding Officer of the National Motor Traffic and Transport Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP), Mr. Angwubotoge Awuni has charged personnel of the unit to work extra hard to help rid Ghana’ s transportation system of the numerous challenges that pose a threat to road users. Speaking at a capacity building workshop for police personnel drawn from the Upper East, Upper West, Northern and Brong Ahafo regions at the Pwalugu Police Training School aimed at educating and creating the necessary awareness on how to enforce the new Road Traffic Regulations, L.I. 2180 of 2012, ACP Awuni noted that the key to achieving the objectives of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety was improved enforcement of the relevant laws. He said The UN Decade of Action for Road Safety instituted in 2011 to reduce fatalities attributable to traffic accidents by 50 percent is hinged on six pillars; these are safer roads, improved road safety management, safer vehicles, safer road users, improved post-crash response and improve enforcement. ACP Awuni said improved enforcement requires the necessary legal backing and hence the introduction of the new L.I. which seeks to fill in the gap in respect of legislation and enforcement. He stressed with the regulation in place some of the bad practices such as the use of mobile phones and the operation of television monitors on the dash boards on vehicles when driving, use of hand held communication devices such mobile phones to make or receive calls, send or receive messages or access the internet when driving is illegal among others are all unlawful adding the prohibition of the use of these devices will greatly minimise road traffic accidents. He noted that the new regulation makes provision for towing services and said this is expected to rid the road of broken down vehicles which obstruct traffic on the road and sometimes cause serious accidents. He also touched on the regulations that prohibit the use of motor cycles for commercial purposes. He therefore tasked the personnel to be abreast of the provisions of the law in order to maintain safety on the roads. He also gave the assurance that the Police Service and for that matter the MTTU will hold series of education and create the needed awareness to ensure the effective and efficient enforcement of the content of the regulations. Giving an overview of Road Traffic Accidents and other related Traffic Regulations, the officer in charge of education, research and training, Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ACP), Mr. A. K. Obeng said between January 1, 2012 and June 2012, a total of 7,172 cases, involving 10,572 vehicles. Out of the number, 1,444 persons died while 7,165 of them sustained injuries. Mr. Obeng attributed the causes to road user indiscipline, abuse of road markings and signs, intolerance, over speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol and fatigue driving amongst other. He urged the participants to be vigilant and ensure strict compliance to the law to avert some of these deaths. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Samuel Sasu-Mensah also underscored the need for ethical and professionalism on the part of the personnel in order to achieve the desire goal of the service. Earlier in a welcoming address, the Upper East Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCOP), Mr. Bright Oduro expressed the hope that the participants will after the workshop discharge their duties effectively to reduce the carnage on the roads. July 26, 2012

Mount Sinai Primary School hold open day

From: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Pupils of Mount Sinai Primary School in the Bolgatanga Municipality have held a series of activities mark the end of term. Pupils from the nursery department, Kindergarten, lower and Upper Primary took part in poetry recitals, singing, chorography, and drama performances to shake off the stress after a term long teaching and learning. The pupils also used the occasion to call for unity among Ghanaians and appeal to all citizens to work towards sustaining the peace of the country. The ceremony was also used to award best three students in each class who excelled at the end of term examination to motivate the pupils to learn hard. July 26, 2012

Upper East Mourns Late President Mills

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga

Politicians, Security Chiefs, and a cross section of the population in the Upper East Region have been paying tribute to the late President of the Republic of Ghana who passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2012. On the first day of the opening of a book of condolence at the office of the Regional Coordinating Council, the Upper East Regional Representative on the Council of State, Rt. Rev. Dr. Jacob Ayeebo, the Deputy Regional Minister , Madam Lucy Awuni, the Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, Mr. Edward Ayagle, the District Chief Executives for Talensi and Nabdam, Madam Vivian Anafo, the DCE for Bongo, Mr Clement a. Tia, the Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bright Oduro, the Regional Commander for Ghana Immigration Service, Mr. Emmanuel Akiti were among the first who signed the book of condolence. Rt. Rev. Dr. Jacob Ayeebo, who is also Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Tamale wrote “With deep sorrow, May your soul sleep in peace and rise in glory, Amen”. The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs Lucy Awuni wrote “The people of Ghana love you but the good lord love you most. May your soul rest in the bosom of the Lord”. “I am dispirited to hear of the sudden death of our beloved President. I wish sincerely that Ghana and Ghanaians will stay together as one people and forge ahead. May your soul rest in perfect peace” were the words inscribed by the Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, Mr. Edward Ayagle. The DCE for Talensi and Nabdam, Madam Vivian Anafo wrote that the people of Nabdam and Talensi will forever remember and practice the virtues taught by the late president adding “we are proud of you and will forever miss you. We pray the good Lord receive you in his heavenly bosom where we trust you will continue to pray for mother Ghana as you did. Rest in peace” The Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCOP), Mr. Bright Oduro carve these words “ Demirifa Due, May your soul rest in the bosom of the Lord. Rest in perfect peace”. In a related development, the founder of the Fountain Gate Chapel, Rev. Eastwood Anaba has also paid tribute to the late President of Ghana, John Evans Atta Mills emphasising that the late President will be remembered by his humility and simplicity. Pastor Anaba who also heads the Eastwood Anaba Ministries told the National broadcaster, GTV from Accra that the passing away of Mr. Mills was sad for Ghana, Africa and the World as whole. “It is very difficult news to take but we can only trust God to keep our nation”. The late president, either as a presidential aspirant or sitting president attended the Fountain Gate Chapel anytime he visited the region to fellowship with the congregation. “He was a personal friend who I knew way before he became president. My preaching on the love revolution was something he was very interested in and will occasionally pick copies of the tape to listen to”, Rev. Anaba said. “As a friend, I knew our president as a very likeable person, a Godly man who was not ashamed of his faith in Christ and yet he didn’t discriminate against other people”. He added further that the late president was a gentleman who respected other people’s rights and their boundaries stressing that he was also a generous man who shared his intellect and time, his resources and strength with the entire nation. -End- July 27, 2012