Increase investment in education

Daily Graphic August 26,2013 Page 65 Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, BOLGATANGA A retired Educationist and Founding Principal of the Bolgatanga Polytechnic in the Upper East Region, Mr Robet A. Ajene has called on government to increase its investment in education to make the teaching profession an attractive destination for many. According to Mr Ajene, who has over 30 years experience in the teaching profession, the biggest challenge facing Ghana in her bid to attain the level of development in newly industrialized economies is the widening is the opportunity for quality schooling at both the primary and secondary levels. “If we want to avoid crises in Ghana now and before 2015, we should promote basic education as not only a constitutional obligation for Ghana but also prerequisite for economic growth and poverty reduction. In fact all efforts, the educational system is still far from achieving the desired outcomes. We still have challenges at the basic level and these need serious attention,” Mr Ajene said. The retired educationist made the call as a guest speaker for the 4th quadrennial delegate conference of the Upper East Region branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, (GNAT) in Bolgatanga Mr Ajene also noted that one sure way of averting the crises in education is effective supervision. He said where supervision does not exist; the tendency is for teachers to relax their efforts, attend classes irregularly or unpunctual or both. He emphasized the need for the Ghana Education Service to improve its inspectorate system. Another approach he said was the need to pay attention to entrepreneurial training so that the products churned are readily absorbed into the job market instead of being left without jobs. “Look at our polytechnics, which are meant to produce middle level manpower. Most polytechnic graduates are not being employed in the public sector due to lack of vacancies or that they were not specifically trained to undertake a specific job” Mr. Thomas Baafi, Deputy General Secretary of GNAT, in charge of Education and Professional Development said as part of the way forward, Ghana has to rethink how to attract, employ, retain outstanding teaching talents. He added that in-service training, availability of learning and teaching materials, massive infrastructure development and programmes targeting the vulnerable are key to averting crisis in the sector. Mr Baafi added that the systems failures in the education sector must be fixed whiles issues such as delays in promotion, upgrading and salary adjustments of teachers must be give priority attention. “The nation needs an education paradigm shift. Education planners must look beyond counting the number of children sitting in classrooms and focus on learning. The philosophy and goals of education must be tailored at building relevant knowledge, equipping learners with life skills, building positive perspectives and inculcating in learners positive attitudes and values grounded in our culture,” he said. Mr. Steven Gebute, Upper East Regional Chairman of GNAT admonished members of the union to be minded of the implementation of the Education Act, 2008, Act 778, and improve on their output warning that “if we are to be retained in the teaching profession, we need to sit up”. He explained that the Act has no room for lateness to school, drunkenness, absenteeism and non-performing teachers. Touching on the activities of the union, the Regional Chairman said the union does not only negotiate for improved salaries and conditions of service for its members but also contributes to the development of society and the nation at large. He said in the period under review, GNAT in the region initiated projects and programmes among which is a science project organized for teachers particularly female teachers, drawn from 50 primary schools in the Bawku West District with the aim of upgrading the knowledge and skills of teachers to effectively teach science in the upper primary and to arouse the interest of female teachers in the teaching of science. Mr Gebute expressed worry at the attraction rate in the profession and appealed to the government to make the teaching profession an attractive destination. The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Daniel Syme while commending the union for the proactive roles it is playing in raising critical issues of national interest in education delivery in the country in general and the region in particular, urged leadership of GNAT and other labor unions in the education sector to desist from defending the members who intentionally refuse to work when supervisors want to crack the whip. “As you fight for better conditions of service for them, remind them about their duties and responsibilities as teachers,” he added. He gave the assurances that government will continue to provide the much needed resources for effective teaching and learning in schools to forestall the crisis situation the union is foreseeing. -End- Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh Quick read The Upper East Region branch of GNAT holds conference every four years at the regional level. The purpose of the conference is to take stock of major activities carried out over the period under review, assess the strengths and weakness, evaluate its activities and project into the future The theme for this year’s conference was “Education in Crisis-the agenda for 2015 and beyond, the role of the stakeholders” The guest speaker for this year’s conference Mr Robert Ajene, a retired educationist advocated increased investments, increased supervision and entrepreneurial training at all levels of the sector. Increase

INFIDELITY COSTS MAN HIS PENIS

A 36-year-old pupil teacher has had his penis severed by a gang led by the husband of a woman he is accused of having an amorous relationship with. Daily Graphic August 26, 2013 Page 16 James Kalimal Baale, a pupil teacher at Nalerigu in the Northern Region is currently on admission at the Baptist Hospital in Nalerigu while his assailant, Moses Teng, also a teacher at Sheaga Primary School and one Kofi Asampana, said to have aided the cruel act, are in the grips of the Police in Bawku. Two other accomplices are on the run, however, Comfort Tikana, 24, the lady alleged to be between the two men is also in the firm grips of the police to help with investigations. She is herself a pupil teacher at the Sheaga Day Care Centre. Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Bawku Divisional Crime Officer of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Adamu Seidu said the incident occurred last Thursday, August 22, at about 8 pm. Mr Seidu said Moses and his gang stormed the campus of the Pusiga College of Education where James and Comfort are pursuing a top-up programme to attack the lovers. According to the police, Moses claimed James whom he suspected to be the boyfriend of his wife, Comfort, has been calling him (Moses) on his mobile phone to insult him.The severed penis Moses claimed James even went to the extent of vividly describing the size of his wife’s private parts, the hotels they have been meeting in, the number of times they had had sex and the clothing he, James, had bought for Comfort. The police said this alleged conversation infuriated Moses and as a result he stormed the campus where the two lovers were schooling. On arrival, Moses and his gang allegedly ambushed the victim, overpowered him and severed his penis with a knife. The police said Moses and two others fled the scene after the incident, however, Kofi Asampana, was attacked by a mob and later arrested by the police. James was sent to the Nalerigu Hospital after receiving first aid at the Akonye Memorial Hospital in Pusiga. According to Supt. Seidu, police investigations led them to Tongo, where Moses was picked up on Saturday evening after he had reported himself to the police in Tongo and admitted his crime. http://graphic.com.gh/General-News/husband-leads-gang-to-cut-off-rivalspenis.html

SSNIT prosecutes defaulting employers

SSNIT prosecutes defaulting employers Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga A Bolgatanga Magistrate court, presided over by Madam Vivian Yamusah, has issued a bench warrant for six companies for refusing to pay Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions on behalf of their employees. The companies include Bisvel Petroleum Services, Speedlink Restaurant, Navrongo, Yinimi Ventures, Yinwaat Enterprise, Bakayo J. Enterprise and Buhas Enterprise. All six companies owe SSNIT a total of GH c 3,389.93. The bench warrants were issued by the court after directors of the companies failed to appear before the court after been served with criminal summons. They are to reappear in court on September 16, 2013 Unity Oil Company which operates in Paga was also fined an amount of GH c 1,000 for failure to register with the trust and ordered to regularize its operation including the payment of contributions on behalf of their employee. Managers of Asankunde Memorial Clinic whose indebtedness to the Trust amounted to GH c 6, 444.86 made a representation in court was admitted to self recognizance bail to the tune of GH c 7,000.00 and the case adjourned to September 16, 2013. Mr. Foster Adjei, a prosecutor of the Trust said the defaulting companies despite been served letter to appear in court failed to turn up. He noted that SSNIT was pursuing a rigorous exercise to ensure that errant employers who fail to live up to their responsibilities are drag to court. Speaking to The Mirror, the Bolgatanga Branch Manager of SSNIT, Mr Prosper Yao Gavu expressed concern that employers were deducting workers’ contributions as stipulated by the law, yet they did not comply with the provisions of the law for payment of the contributions to SSNIT. He urged employers to desist from such negative practice and stressed that the days of leniency were over and that irrespective of the quantum of the amount owed by any employer, all legal means would now be employed to ensure security of income for the increasing number of workers and future pensioners. He also encouraged all defaulting employers to contact SSNIT for negotiations if they could not pay their debts in full. -End- writer's email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

POTAG says it is opposed to any attempt abolish of Book & Research Allowance

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover The Polytechnic Teachers’ Association of Ghana (POTAG) has stated that it will resist any attempt by government to abolish the current Book and Research Allowances being enjoyed by University lecturers. POTAG in a press statement copied to Daily Graphic and signed by Mr Oswald Atiga, General Secretary go POTAG at the end of its 20th National Delegates Congress held in Kumasi, stressed that the Book and Research Allowance was negotiated for by POTAG and so forms part of its conditions of service. The statement said Indeed it is POTAG`S view that this particular allowance even needs an upwards adjustment considering the current economic state of the country. "POTAG will apply all means necessary to maintain and keep what it has so bargained and negotiated for, " POTAG said They further said in POTAG’s conditions of service, promotion of senior members or lecturers is based on research and publication. Also for higher academic institutions of learning to be vibrant playing their critical role of contributing to teaching, research and enhancement of knowledge and skill; lecturers must be able to acquire current literature and practical materials related to their fields of endeavour in order to compete appropriately in this advanced technological world. Quoting from the Labour Act, POTAG said "employers are to promote conducive working environment together with the appropriate and relevant tools that make working productive and enhance performance. Therefore the employer cannot take away or suspend the tool and yet expect high levels of performance and productivity from its employees." The statement vehemently denied information circulating in the media to the effect that POTAG has agreed to the implementation of this policy. "POTAG wishes to state clearly that nowhere have we discussed this matter with government or with any other stakeholder" It went on to state that no centralized program/scheme of any kind has worked properly in this country before and so they (POTAG) will not accept any attempt to centralize this allowance. "The question we want to pose is; How easily accessible is this allowance in its current state that the ministry now thinks centralization is the answer?" the statement asked The statement concluded by stressing that thy will jealously and vehemently guard whatever is negotiated and duly captured in its conditions of service Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Deputy Minister of Education, in-charge of Tertiary Education was recently reported as announcing that government is to abolish the current Book and Research Allowances being enjoyed by University lecturers. In its place, the Deputy Minister said government is considering merging all the research allowances into one to be known as, the “National Research Fund” where funds spent government spends yearly as book and research allowance would be incorporated into the fund, for which lecturers or students would have to present research proposals for approval, before disbursement. -end- Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh

Chiefs, mining firm reach agreement

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, BOLGATANGA The chiefs and elders of the Gbane Traditional Area have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shaanxi Mining Minerals Procession Company Limited to end the dispute that characterised mining business operations in the area. Under the MoU, the traditional rulers have ceded 71.16 acres of land outside the mining concession to be used for the construction of residential quarters and other structures in Gbane by the firm for a lease period of 50 years. In exchange, the mining company is expected to provide the community with social amenities including educational infrastructure, scholarship for students, employment opportunities, provision of ICT facilities and the construction of a social centre, a dam, as well as the repair and maintenance of a stretch of the road between Gbane and Talusi. The Shaanxi Mining Minerals Procession Company Limited is providing technical support services to two local mining groups operating in the community. At a media briefing in Bolgatanga, the Chief of Gbane, Naab Zelsom Nakahilad Pubortaab Naabil, in a speech read by his spokesperson, Turoung Zumah Yaro, said the company would build a nine-classroom block with two offices and two store rooms for the community. He also said the company was expected to provide five places of convenience for the community at locations to be decided by the community leaders. Naab Naabil added that as per the agreement, the company was also expected to give priority to the employment to members of the Gbane community and also provide a community centre for the people between 2017 and 2018. The Public Relations Officer of the Shaanxi Mining Minerals Procession Company Limited, Mr Maxwell Woomah, expressed joy at the final agreement reached with the community as it would provide a good and harmonious working environment. Benjamin Xornam Glover/Daily Graphic/Ghana Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh http://graphic.com.gh/General-News/chiefs-mining-firm-reach-agreement.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Chiefs, NDC, NPP spokespersons in UE advocate peace

Chiefs, NDC, NPP spokespersons in UE advocate peace Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, BOLGATANGA Some traditional rulers and representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region have appealed to Ghanaians in general and resident of ye region in particular to accept the Supreme Court verdict on the election petition in good faith. The President of the Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Sakote Traditional Area, Naba Sigri Bewong, his Vice, Pe Aditundi Anidu Ayagitam III, the leaders of the communications teams of the NDC and NPP in the region separate interviews, urged Ghanaians to be calm before and after the verdict and refrain actions and utterances that could lead to violence and undermine peace and development. The President of the Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Sakote Traditional Area, Naba Sigri Bewong, said Ghana is more important than any existing political party that and peace is very paramount, hence the need for all to respect the outcome of the petition "I expect everyone especially the youth not to resort to any act of violence. Let us all respect the rule of law and abide by whichever verdict the justices of the Supreme Court will come out with" The Vice President of the Regional House of Chiefs, who is also the Paramount Chief of Chiana, Pe Aditundi Anidu Ayagitam III also said Ghana has for a long time enjoyed peace and that Ghana has for many years enjoyed praises from the international community and that it will be very sad if the nation should lose all the praises being showered on her as a very peaceful country. Pe Ayagitam III said as the entire nation await the final verdict, it was incumbent for every Ghanaian to put the interest of the country first and preserve the unity and peace prevailing. "We should all understand that peace is the only thing to help us advance and match up to the other developed countries," he added. He called on the youth of the region as well as supporters of both the petitioners and respondents to remain peaceful even after the verdict is pronounced. For his part, the leader of the Communication Team of the National Democratic Congress in the Upper East Region, Mr Amos Awinzor said as a leader, he seizes every opportunity that comes his way to advice supporters of the party in the region to plead with them on the need to keep the peace. "We need peace more than anything to govern. So if we do anything to hurt the system, we we not be able to achieve our aim," he said Mr Awinzor said apart from that, at the end of the day, elections and its aftermath issues should not be a matter of breaking heads adding that election is a contest and that power belong to the people and at any point in time if the people say you have the power, you have it. If they say you don't have it, you don't have it and as political parties and supporters, we have to understand that principle. Mr Awinzor said much as he believes that the NDC have made a good case against the petitioners and knowing very well that they have advanced their arguments very well, the party still leave the outcome to the wisdom of the justices of the Supreme Court. "Whichever way they deemed it fit, we should all accept and support the victor to build the nation," he said adding that if the case should go their way, they will be happy and celebrate accordingly. He however called for moderation and modesty, stressing that at not point should the celebrants taunt the losers. "We should all be tolerant and note that election defeats should not be the end of the world. We need peace more than never before in order to advance the development of the nation" Mr Bashiru Ibrahim, leader of the New Patriotic Party Communication Team in the region said following from the position of the flag bearer of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo who has been very emphatic on the need to go to court because he has so much respect for the institutions of state, all supporters of the party in the region have been admonished to get themselves prepared to accept the outcome of the petition. "After all, Ghana is the only country we have. In line with the conviction of our leader, and also the fact our party has come out with a guidelines, a number of sensitization programmes have been held to guide all those who speak for the party to avoid making judgmental comments and also be civil" He said the leadership of the party in the region together with the communication team have taken a decision to educate supporters of the party to accept the outcome of the case, irrespective of which way it goes. "Once we did not choose to hit the streets in protest at the beginning of the case, we cannot go to the streets now that the case has gone through the judicial process. Should that happen we would have been seen to be undermining the powers and confidence we have in the courts'" Mr Ibrahim added. -End- Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh Twitter | @glovben 30 Secs read -The Supreme Court hearing election petition will next sit on Wednesday, August 14, 2014 to seek further clarifications on the written and oral addresses submitted by lawyers of the petitioners and respondents - 15 days thereafter,the Justices of the Supreme Court will pronounce judgment - Various bodies have all advocated the need for Ghanaians to embrace the verdict and not resort to violence

WOM addresses women access to productive lands.

WOM addresses women access to productive lands. Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, BOLGATANGA Access to land determines one’s access to income-generating activities as well as one’s access to food. Despite the important roles played by women in the farm sector, studies shows that that men had greater access to and control over land in the Upper East Region. The Ghana land administrative project as of 2011, estimated that 80 per cent of the land in Ghana is owned and governed by our traditional rulers and the principal ways in which women acquire land is through their lineage, inheritance, marriage or by contractual arrangements. These processes of acquiring land however do not include family lands. The Intestate Succession Law fails to cover family lands. Wives and children therefore cannot inherit family property, no matter their contribution to its development. The case of widows Widows particularly in northern Ghana, have a peculiar case which causes them to lose access to land in most instances. Based on culture, men own lands and hence any woman who can access land can mostly access the husband' or son' land. In the case of the widow, she no longer has a husband hence she cannot access the land. Also in some instances even when she has a male child who is young, she is still prevented from accessing land. In instances where a widow manages to access land, it turns out to be the least productive one .On the other hand it is a known fact that proceeds from women's farms play an important role in household food security and generate cash for buying oil, vegetables, meat and, increasingly, extra staple foods. Infertile lands limit the crops they can grow. Example, they would not plant tree crops if they thought they might lose the land when the trees started bearing fruit. It restricts their access to credit from formal sources, as they do not have land collateral. It encourages low productivity and aggravation of food insecurity among others. WOM Interventions It is to address this and promote gender equity in access to and control over land, the Widows and Orphans Movement, (WOM), a non-governmental organization with support from Action Aid Ghana has been working on issues related to women's rights in the Talensi and Nabdam districts for the past seven years. The mission is to promote sustainable agriculture and control over natural resources for people living in poverty, majority of who are women. Commitments In June this year, WOM working with widows in five communities in the Talensi and Nabdam districts namely,Winkono, Wakii, Pelungu, Sakote, and Pwalugu managed to secure some commitments from chiefs and Tindanas, (traditional land owners). Among the commitments were that productive lands will be released to widows for cultivation when they demand for it. Again Chiefs and land owners will ensure that farm lands of widows are not destroyed intentionally by others, such as the intentional driving of ruminants to the farmlands of widows to cause destruction by community members. In the case of the Pwalugu community, it came to light that farmlands are commonly destroyed by cattle belonging to Fulani herdsmen and that even as attempts are being made to find a lasting solution to the problem, widows who still want to farm under the prevailing circumstances should be given farm lands to cultivate. Another commitment extracted from the chiefs was to the effect that lands being cultivated by widows will not be taken away from them without a one year prior notice. Follow up engagement meeting At a follow up meeting held in Bolgatanga, the National Director of WOM, Ms Fati Abigail Abdulai said following those series of engagements with the various widows networks in 23 communities in Talensi and Nabdam district some chiefs and Tindanas (traditional land owners) have made further pledges to support women's secured more access to productive land enabling us all to be food secured. "We have had instances where chiefs have led the campaign to help members of the widows network get between four and 10 acres of land to enable them carry out farming and also better position them to support the upkeep of their homes,"she said. The National Director of WOM expressed the hope that the commitments made by the Chiefs and Tindanas would go a long way to support women's secured access to productive land and enabling all to be food secured. In an interview with a cross section of widows over the weekend, the consensus was that the move by WOM have led to an improvement in their life's and they are now food secured and better positioned to take care of their families. The Chief of Winkongo, Moses Aganzuah lauded the initiative by WOM asters king that it will go a long way to help not only the widows but the entire society. He also emphasized the need for the widows on the need to demonstrate good character and self respect which he said will open doors for them and also grant them unfettered access to the palaces of the traditional rulers to discuss pertinent issues including asses to land. Ms. Juliet Jalia Adams, General Programme Officer of ActionAid Ghana, noted that as a result of the interventions, the women they have been working with have developed enough confidence to speak their mind even in the midst of their chief and elders and this is a great step forward. She added with joy that productive lands are being released to women for farming but stressed that they still have a log way forward in gaining assess to larger tracts of land to produce foods not only to feed their immediate families but also feed the society and enhance their economic status. She urged the widows to continue working effectively as a group in other to benefit from the many opportunities that exist. -End- Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh 1 Minute read -Violation of women’s property rights has its origins in customary tenure systems of land ownership that are patriarchal and do not recognize women’s claim over land except through their ties with men. -Under patrilineal land system, that is most common in African societies, land belongs to either the boys as brothers or men as husbands, from which women derive rights to till the land. On death, land devolves to the man’s sons and not the spouse or his daughters. -The traditional perception of women as minors means that under such systems, their control and access to land is subject to male dictates, which maintains the status‐quo whereby women today are still in a disadvantaged bargaining position to contract or gain access to credit facilities needed to engage in income generating activities and live self‐sustaining lives.