Story: Chris Nunoo, Lawra
AN aspiring NPP parliamentary candidate in the Lawra Nandom Constituency, Mr Ambrose Dery, has said the track record of the NPP would be the basis on which the party would win this year’s elections.
That, he said, was because the record of the NPP was clear in the minds of all Ghanaians, which would be the determinant of the winner of the December 2008 elections.
He called on his constituents to refrain from acts of violence and always resort to dialogue, saying democracy was all about the exchange of different ideas and so there was no need for supporters of opposing political parties to indulge in insults and fights.
Mr Dery, who is a Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, was addressing the Songtaa Nyong women’s group at Lawra in the Lawra District of the Upper West Region.
He said the northern part of the country was not immune to conflicts and so there was the need for the people to get closer to one another.
“Do not think conflicts cannot come to us, particularly those of us in the Upper West. We must, therefore, work against that because when that happens it is the women and children who will suffer most,” he noted.
Throwing more light on high food prices, Mr Dery gave the assurance that the government was working very hard to ensure that the country was secure as far as food was concerned.
He further explained that the situation was a global problem, as it concerned increases in petroleum prices.
He said with the recent discovery of oil in the country, such problems would soon be over.
Touching on the loan disbursement under the micro credit scheme, among others, the aspiring MP advised loan beneficiaries to work very hard to generate income so that they could pay back the loans for others to benefit.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
UPPER WESS REGION ...25 Years of existence (PAGE 7)
Article: Chris Nunoo
THE Upper West Region, with Wa as its capital, is 25 years old since it was created from the then Upper Region.
Despite the fact that the leadership of the country at that time heeded the cries and agitation from various quarters for the Upper Region to be divided, because the ‘Wa side’ was not seeing substantial development as compared to the ‘Bolgatanga portion’, the region, after 25 years, is still struggling in terms of development.
In the area of education, for instance, the region is not very much endowed as most school children continue to study under trees. There is also the problem of unavailability of qualified teachers to be teaching in the schools.
This and other problems notwithstanding, the region can boast of some of the very good senior high schools in the country such as the Saint Francis Zavier Seminary and the Nandom Secondary schools.
Thankfully, the region now has a university campus, which is the Faculty of Integrated Development Studies (FIDS) of the University for Development Studies (UDS), as well as a polytechnic, but these two tertiary institutions, which are very young, are still struggling to find their feet.
In the area of health, a lot more ought to be done as the main hospital in the region, likewise district hospitals, does not match the status of modern hospitals. This is because many of these hospitals do not have the facilities to meet the health needs of the people.
Furthermore, the hospitals lack personnel, particularly doctors. The same can be said of the regional police headquarters, which are said to have been built as a district police headquarters but have been serving as the regional headquarters for 25 years now.
Currently, accommodation for the police personnel in the region is a huge problem, with majority of the personnel living in rented houses, some of which are in very appalling conditions. The situation is the same with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) , the Ghana Prisons Service (GPS) and many other important institutions, which are all working tirelessly to propel the development of the region.
Consequently, in as much as one appreciates tarring of roads in the Wa township and the construction of the famous Bamboi-Tinga roads, together with the extension of electricity to parts of the region, there is still much more to be done and not many people are satisfied with the pace of the provision of these facilities. One major problem is water, which ought to be improved and extended to other parts of the regions.
Much commendation must go to the swarm of non-governmental organisations which are, in their own way, trying to lift life in the Upper West Region from its present state to a better position as far as the nation’s development is concerned.
There is, therefore, the need for stakeholders to critically identify and assess the priorities of the region after 25 years of its existence and work to develop those areas.
Apart from the improved roads in the regional capital, all other roads in the region are in a bad state, especially the roads that lead to some of the major districts and towns. These include the Wa-Tumu, Wa-Funsi and the Wa-Lawra and Nandom roads, thereby making the movement of people and foodstuffs from one area to the other very difficult.
The area needs a modern health facility. Health workers in the region must also be given special incentives as a means to attract more health workers, especially doctors, to work in the region. Ironically, Wa, and for that matter the Upper West Region, has nothing to show as the youngest region in the country. Being one of the three poorest regions in the northern part of the country and the country at large, it has nothing to showcase with respect to economic investment.
The region’s position as the leader, as far as maternal and under five mortality in the country is concerned also calls for stringent and effective mechanisms to reverse the trend as the region celebrates its silver jubilee from tommorrow, May 23 to June 1, 2008, to facilitate the processes which would minimise the mortality rate in the shortest possible time.
All Upper Westerners, government officials and other stakeholders who have the region at heart must, in the face of the difficulties confronting the rapid development of the region, cast their minds back from when the region was created to its present state, put their act together and plan for a better future for the region. This is because like any other region, the Upper West also deserves better.
Considering the issues on the table at the time, the Upper Region was split into two, the then head of state, the late Gen. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, started the process but his dreams were short-lived as he was overthrown. Before his overthrow, Gen. Acheampong had set the pace to divide the area, initiating the construction of bungalows and multi-purpose offices to house the various ministries, departments and agencies, including that of the Regional Co-ordinating Council. Then came former President Hilla Limann when the country went back to constitutional rule. He also resolved to continue with the process but it was slow because of some constitutional requirements.
Dr Limann was also overthrown and therefore could not succeed in completing what Gen. Kutu Acheampong started. When former President J.J. Rawlings took over power in 1981, he also saw the need to divide the region and so in January 1983, the Upper West Region was created from the Upper Region with Wa as its capital. The Upper East Region has Bolgatanga as its regional capital.
With a total land area of 18,476 square kilometres, representing 12.7 per cent of the total land area of the country, the Upper West Region shares boundaries with two countries namely Cote d'Ivoire, on the west and Burkina Faso, in the north. The present population of the region, according to the 2002 National Population Census, is 576,593, with a population density of 31 per square kilometre (national average is 77).
Before the creation of the region, the Upper West could only boast three districts, namely Wa, Sissala and Lawra districts. Presently, the region has nine districts and these are Wa East and Wa West, Nadowli, Jirapa-Lambussie, Lawra, Sissala East, Sissala West, Wa Municipal and the newly created Lambussie Karni District.
Farming is the mainstay of the people with the cultivation of yam, maize, groundnut and millet as the major food crops produced in the area. A few of the people are also into livestock farming.
Even though the region is very young, compared to others in the country, it has had at least eight regional ministers in its 25 years of existence.
With about five ethnic groups, made up of Dagarbas, Walas, Sissalas, Lobis and a small group of Kasenas, the Upper West Region could be said to be a relatively peaceful region in the country. It has also managed to produce some eminent personalities, including a former Inspector General of Police, Mr Peter Nanfuri, the Vice-President of the National House of Chiefs, Naa Banawini Sando II, the late Cardinal Peter Dery and Dr Edward Gyader, all of whom have in diverse ways contributed their quota to the development of the country.
THE Upper West Region, with Wa as its capital, is 25 years old since it was created from the then Upper Region.
Despite the fact that the leadership of the country at that time heeded the cries and agitation from various quarters for the Upper Region to be divided, because the ‘Wa side’ was not seeing substantial development as compared to the ‘Bolgatanga portion’, the region, after 25 years, is still struggling in terms of development.
In the area of education, for instance, the region is not very much endowed as most school children continue to study under trees. There is also the problem of unavailability of qualified teachers to be teaching in the schools.
This and other problems notwithstanding, the region can boast of some of the very good senior high schools in the country such as the Saint Francis Zavier Seminary and the Nandom Secondary schools.
Thankfully, the region now has a university campus, which is the Faculty of Integrated Development Studies (FIDS) of the University for Development Studies (UDS), as well as a polytechnic, but these two tertiary institutions, which are very young, are still struggling to find their feet.
In the area of health, a lot more ought to be done as the main hospital in the region, likewise district hospitals, does not match the status of modern hospitals. This is because many of these hospitals do not have the facilities to meet the health needs of the people.
Furthermore, the hospitals lack personnel, particularly doctors. The same can be said of the regional police headquarters, which are said to have been built as a district police headquarters but have been serving as the regional headquarters for 25 years now.
Currently, accommodation for the police personnel in the region is a huge problem, with majority of the personnel living in rented houses, some of which are in very appalling conditions. The situation is the same with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) , the Ghana Prisons Service (GPS) and many other important institutions, which are all working tirelessly to propel the development of the region.
Consequently, in as much as one appreciates tarring of roads in the Wa township and the construction of the famous Bamboi-Tinga roads, together with the extension of electricity to parts of the region, there is still much more to be done and not many people are satisfied with the pace of the provision of these facilities. One major problem is water, which ought to be improved and extended to other parts of the regions.
Much commendation must go to the swarm of non-governmental organisations which are, in their own way, trying to lift life in the Upper West Region from its present state to a better position as far as the nation’s development is concerned.
There is, therefore, the need for stakeholders to critically identify and assess the priorities of the region after 25 years of its existence and work to develop those areas.
Apart from the improved roads in the regional capital, all other roads in the region are in a bad state, especially the roads that lead to some of the major districts and towns. These include the Wa-Tumu, Wa-Funsi and the Wa-Lawra and Nandom roads, thereby making the movement of people and foodstuffs from one area to the other very difficult.
The area needs a modern health facility. Health workers in the region must also be given special incentives as a means to attract more health workers, especially doctors, to work in the region. Ironically, Wa, and for that matter the Upper West Region, has nothing to show as the youngest region in the country. Being one of the three poorest regions in the northern part of the country and the country at large, it has nothing to showcase with respect to economic investment.
The region’s position as the leader, as far as maternal and under five mortality in the country is concerned also calls for stringent and effective mechanisms to reverse the trend as the region celebrates its silver jubilee from tommorrow, May 23 to June 1, 2008, to facilitate the processes which would minimise the mortality rate in the shortest possible time.
All Upper Westerners, government officials and other stakeholders who have the region at heart must, in the face of the difficulties confronting the rapid development of the region, cast their minds back from when the region was created to its present state, put their act together and plan for a better future for the region. This is because like any other region, the Upper West also deserves better.
Considering the issues on the table at the time, the Upper Region was split into two, the then head of state, the late Gen. Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, started the process but his dreams were short-lived as he was overthrown. Before his overthrow, Gen. Acheampong had set the pace to divide the area, initiating the construction of bungalows and multi-purpose offices to house the various ministries, departments and agencies, including that of the Regional Co-ordinating Council. Then came former President Hilla Limann when the country went back to constitutional rule. He also resolved to continue with the process but it was slow because of some constitutional requirements.
Dr Limann was also overthrown and therefore could not succeed in completing what Gen. Kutu Acheampong started. When former President J.J. Rawlings took over power in 1981, he also saw the need to divide the region and so in January 1983, the Upper West Region was created from the Upper Region with Wa as its capital. The Upper East Region has Bolgatanga as its regional capital.
With a total land area of 18,476 square kilometres, representing 12.7 per cent of the total land area of the country, the Upper West Region shares boundaries with two countries namely Cote d'Ivoire, on the west and Burkina Faso, in the north. The present population of the region, according to the 2002 National Population Census, is 576,593, with a population density of 31 per square kilometre (national average is 77).
Before the creation of the region, the Upper West could only boast three districts, namely Wa, Sissala and Lawra districts. Presently, the region has nine districts and these are Wa East and Wa West, Nadowli, Jirapa-Lambussie, Lawra, Sissala East, Sissala West, Wa Municipal and the newly created Lambussie Karni District.
Farming is the mainstay of the people with the cultivation of yam, maize, groundnut and millet as the major food crops produced in the area. A few of the people are also into livestock farming.
Even though the region is very young, compared to others in the country, it has had at least eight regional ministers in its 25 years of existence.
With about five ethnic groups, made up of Dagarbas, Walas, Sissalas, Lobis and a small group of Kasenas, the Upper West Region could be said to be a relatively peaceful region in the country. It has also managed to produce some eminent personalities, including a former Inspector General of Police, Mr Peter Nanfuri, the Vice-President of the National House of Chiefs, Naa Banawini Sando II, the late Cardinal Peter Dery and Dr Edward Gyader, all of whom have in diverse ways contributed their quota to the development of the country.
COTTON FARMERS PETITION GOVERNMENT (PAGE 47)
STORY: Chris Nunoo, Wa
Cotton farmers in the three northern regions of the country have petitioned the government to act quickly to save the cotton industry from collapsing.
In a petition presented to the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr George Hickah Benson, the farmers, who described cotton as the ‘white gold’ of northern Ghana, catalogued a number of factors hindering the production of cotton.
The petition, which is to be forwarded to President Kufuor, stated that given the required attention, cotton would become a viable cash crop for the country.
Signed by Mr Mohammed Adam Nashiru, the National Secretary of the Ghana Cotton Farmers Association, the petition raised the issues of the high cost of production and the unfair world trade, which favours countries of the developed world.
The farmers appealed to the government to support them this season by offering free mass spraying of cotton.
The farmers also stressed the need for the government to encourage more credit schemes, and the various district and municipal assemblies to assist them with credit facilities.
The group further appealed for subsidies on farm inputs, pointing out that cotton cultivation was gradually becoming unattractive and as such some of the farmers were considering cultivating other crops.
Mr Benson said the government was aware of the potential of cotton.
That, he said, accounted for the inclusion of cotton the fact cultivation in the special initiatives of the President.
Mr Hickah Benson acknowledged that there were problems with the cotton industry but said the government would try to address the concerns of the farmers.
The regional minister commended the farmers for the peaceful means they had adopted to channel their concerns.
Cotton farmers in the three northern regions of the country have petitioned the government to act quickly to save the cotton industry from collapsing.
In a petition presented to the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr George Hickah Benson, the farmers, who described cotton as the ‘white gold’ of northern Ghana, catalogued a number of factors hindering the production of cotton.
The petition, which is to be forwarded to President Kufuor, stated that given the required attention, cotton would become a viable cash crop for the country.
Signed by Mr Mohammed Adam Nashiru, the National Secretary of the Ghana Cotton Farmers Association, the petition raised the issues of the high cost of production and the unfair world trade, which favours countries of the developed world.
The farmers appealed to the government to support them this season by offering free mass spraying of cotton.
The farmers also stressed the need for the government to encourage more credit schemes, and the various district and municipal assemblies to assist them with credit facilities.
The group further appealed for subsidies on farm inputs, pointing out that cotton cultivation was gradually becoming unattractive and as such some of the farmers were considering cultivating other crops.
Mr Benson said the government was aware of the potential of cotton.
That, he said, accounted for the inclusion of cotton the fact cultivation in the special initiatives of the President.
Mr Hickah Benson acknowledged that there were problems with the cotton industry but said the government would try to address the concerns of the farmers.
The regional minister commended the farmers for the peaceful means they had adopted to channel their concerns.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
PLAN GHANA ENCOURAGES DRY SEASON FARMING...In Sissala District (PAGE 20)
Story: Chris Nunoo, Pulima
THE provision of dams by Plan Ghana, an international non-governmental organisation (NGO), through its livelihood empowerment programme, to the people of the Sissala District of the Upper-West Region, has been described by the farmers as a lifetime investment, which has brought a new lease of life to their families and households.
They said until the dams were constructed, all they had to do during the dry season was to idle about, sit under trees or probably go round picking firewood.
Barely three months after the dams were formally handed over to the communities, lands around them had been taken over by the farmers for the cultivation of fresh vegetables, including okro, cabbage, carrots and onions.
The dam sites are gradually picking up at market centres as many people including commuters who drive through the towns, pass by the farms to purchase some of the fresh produce.
This, notwithstanding, the dams also serve as a source of drinking water for livestock while those who are engaged in fish farming are also making very good use of them.
These came to light when the Daily Graphic paid a familiarisation visit to the farms of some of the beneficiary communities and interacted with the farmers.
The beneficiary communities, which include Nyimati, Pulima, Buoti and Jefissi, expressed appreciation to Plan Ghana for the project and asked for more of such interventions.
“The dams have actually brought life to our communities. Before the construction of the dams, we had to wait for the rains before we could work on the farms,” some of the farmers told the Daily Graphic.
The farmers also said they now had enough produce to send home for domestic use.
Speaking in separate interviews, some of the farmers — Madam Talata Yakubu, Madam Mamoro Sankoro, Madam Adisa Ali Hantong and Madam Mariama Sumani Haduon — said currently, they could heave a sigh of relief.
They showered praises on Plan Ghana for the initiative, stressing that “now we can eat well and put some money in our pockets as well”.
“The dams have really helped us, but for the dams we would have been idling about, sitting under trees or gathering fire wood,” they said, adding that “with the construction of the dams, we’ll be busy always working on our farms”.
As part of assistance to the farmers, field officers of Plan Ghana intermittently pay visits to the farms to study at first-hand what the farmers are doing.
They also take the farmers through some form of orientation as to the type of seedlings they must sow and how to plant the seedlings.
Plan Ghana is also taking measures to organise special training programmes for the farmers on the proper usage of the dams.
THE provision of dams by Plan Ghana, an international non-governmental organisation (NGO), through its livelihood empowerment programme, to the people of the Sissala District of the Upper-West Region, has been described by the farmers as a lifetime investment, which has brought a new lease of life to their families and households.
They said until the dams were constructed, all they had to do during the dry season was to idle about, sit under trees or probably go round picking firewood.
Barely three months after the dams were formally handed over to the communities, lands around them had been taken over by the farmers for the cultivation of fresh vegetables, including okro, cabbage, carrots and onions.
The dam sites are gradually picking up at market centres as many people including commuters who drive through the towns, pass by the farms to purchase some of the fresh produce.
This, notwithstanding, the dams also serve as a source of drinking water for livestock while those who are engaged in fish farming are also making very good use of them.
These came to light when the Daily Graphic paid a familiarisation visit to the farms of some of the beneficiary communities and interacted with the farmers.
The beneficiary communities, which include Nyimati, Pulima, Buoti and Jefissi, expressed appreciation to Plan Ghana for the project and asked for more of such interventions.
“The dams have actually brought life to our communities. Before the construction of the dams, we had to wait for the rains before we could work on the farms,” some of the farmers told the Daily Graphic.
The farmers also said they now had enough produce to send home for domestic use.
Speaking in separate interviews, some of the farmers — Madam Talata Yakubu, Madam Mamoro Sankoro, Madam Adisa Ali Hantong and Madam Mariama Sumani Haduon — said currently, they could heave a sigh of relief.
They showered praises on Plan Ghana for the initiative, stressing that “now we can eat well and put some money in our pockets as well”.
“The dams have really helped us, but for the dams we would have been idling about, sitting under trees or gathering fire wood,” they said, adding that “with the construction of the dams, we’ll be busy always working on our farms”.
As part of assistance to the farmers, field officers of Plan Ghana intermittently pay visits to the farms to study at first-hand what the farmers are doing.
They also take the farmers through some form of orientation as to the type of seedlings they must sow and how to plant the seedlings.
Plan Ghana is also taking measures to organise special training programmes for the farmers on the proper usage of the dams.
Monday, May 19, 2008
66 PRISON OFFICERS HONOURED (SPREAD)
Story: Chris Nunoo, Wa
SIXTY-six officers of the Ghana Prisons Services (GPS) in the Upper West Region have been decorated with golden jubilee medals at a ceremony in Wa.
The awards were given to the officers during the 51st independence celebration of Ghana’s independence, in recognition of their sacrifices to the country.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr George Hickah Benson, who was the Guest of Honour, said the awards must be a springboard for hard work.
Mr Hickah mentioned the introduction of distance learning for inmates as one of the programmes aimed at equipping them for life after prison.
Touching on this year’s election, the regional minister urged the officers to help ensure violence-free and fair elections in December. He also advised them to psyche up for the job at hand.
For his part, the Regional Commander of the Prisons Service, Mr Joseph Kwaw Yankson, appealed for improvement in accommodation facilities for the officers in the region.
SIXTY-six officers of the Ghana Prisons Services (GPS) in the Upper West Region have been decorated with golden jubilee medals at a ceremony in Wa.
The awards were given to the officers during the 51st independence celebration of Ghana’s independence, in recognition of their sacrifices to the country.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr George Hickah Benson, who was the Guest of Honour, said the awards must be a springboard for hard work.
Mr Hickah mentioned the introduction of distance learning for inmates as one of the programmes aimed at equipping them for life after prison.
Touching on this year’s election, the regional minister urged the officers to help ensure violence-free and fair elections in December. He also advised them to psyche up for the job at hand.
For his part, the Regional Commander of the Prisons Service, Mr Joseph Kwaw Yankson, appealed for improvement in accommodation facilities for the officers in the region.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
WONDER YAM UNITES COMMUNITY (MIRROR, PAGE 25)
From Chris Nunoo, Manden near Bole
Call it the land of the wonder yam and you would not be wrong. That is the reality at Manden, a farming community 15 kilometres from Bole in the Bole District of the Northern Region.
Now known as the 'Sedu Bile’ yam, it found its way into Manden during the lean season of 1984 when one Alhaji Sedu Bile, a native of the town, returned from Cote d’Ivoire after a visit to that country. Today both Alhaji Sedu Bile and the ‘Tembi’ yam which is also referred to as the wonder yam, are household names in the Manden community and beyond. Wonder yam, because to the people of the community the arrival of the special yam species marked the end of hunger in the town.
The yam is also said to have special qualities compared to other yams. It is good for human consumption and also industrial use.
Currently, a festival in honour of Alhaji Sedu Bile coupled with the commemoration of the arrival of the wonder yam into Manden has been instituted and it is celebrated in April every year. It has been the only festival of the people of Manden instituted over the past six years.
Derived from a species known as the ‘Tembi’ yam of Cote d’Ivoire in 1983, the yam was said to have been developed by an Ivorian agricultural scientist and was brought to that country. Alhaji Sedu Bile went to Bona in Cote d’Ivoire with a team of dancers known as Sator dancers from Manden to grace a wedding ceremony. There they learned about the yam.
Alhaji Sedu Bile had been harvesting thousands of the yam since his return from Cote d’Ivoire and was adjudged the best regional farmer at the time.
Then came the time to market the yams. With the help of other prominent farmers, Alhaji Seidu Bile started transporting his produce to Nakwebi, Tuna and surrounding villages in the Northern Region and beyond.
Consequently, ‘Sedu Bile’ spread all over the area with other regions nicknaming it their own way. Now the yam is being exported to neighbouring countries.
Speaking to The Mirror, the people of Mandari, led by Mr E.K. Yakubu, said there had never been hunger in Manden since the arrival of the yam. They said the yam had attracted a lot of the youth to go into farming. The only problem they face, though, is how to market the produce after harvesting. The people say the yam has united their communities the more as they see themselves as one people with the yam as the unifying factor.
Call it the land of the wonder yam and you would not be wrong. That is the reality at Manden, a farming community 15 kilometres from Bole in the Bole District of the Northern Region.
Now known as the 'Sedu Bile’ yam, it found its way into Manden during the lean season of 1984 when one Alhaji Sedu Bile, a native of the town, returned from Cote d’Ivoire after a visit to that country. Today both Alhaji Sedu Bile and the ‘Tembi’ yam which is also referred to as the wonder yam, are household names in the Manden community and beyond. Wonder yam, because to the people of the community the arrival of the special yam species marked the end of hunger in the town.
The yam is also said to have special qualities compared to other yams. It is good for human consumption and also industrial use.
Currently, a festival in honour of Alhaji Sedu Bile coupled with the commemoration of the arrival of the wonder yam into Manden has been instituted and it is celebrated in April every year. It has been the only festival of the people of Manden instituted over the past six years.
Derived from a species known as the ‘Tembi’ yam of Cote d’Ivoire in 1983, the yam was said to have been developed by an Ivorian agricultural scientist and was brought to that country. Alhaji Sedu Bile went to Bona in Cote d’Ivoire with a team of dancers known as Sator dancers from Manden to grace a wedding ceremony. There they learned about the yam.
Alhaji Sedu Bile had been harvesting thousands of the yam since his return from Cote d’Ivoire and was adjudged the best regional farmer at the time.
Then came the time to market the yams. With the help of other prominent farmers, Alhaji Seidu Bile started transporting his produce to Nakwebi, Tuna and surrounding villages in the Northern Region and beyond.
Consequently, ‘Sedu Bile’ spread all over the area with other regions nicknaming it their own way. Now the yam is being exported to neighbouring countries.
Speaking to The Mirror, the people of Mandari, led by Mr E.K. Yakubu, said there had never been hunger in Manden since the arrival of the yam. They said the yam had attracted a lot of the youth to go into farming. The only problem they face, though, is how to market the produce after harvesting. The people say the yam has united their communities the more as they see themselves as one people with the yam as the unifying factor.
Friday, May 16, 2008
ROLE OF CHURCH IN EDUCATIONAL REFORM CRUCIAL (PAGE 11)
Story: Chris Nunoo, Wa
THE Vice-Dean of Students of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Wa Campus, Dr Clifford Maasole, has called for the institution of realistic mechanisms under the new educational reform to impart to students not only academic knowledge, but also skills, particularly in the area of information technology.
That, he said, was the only means to groom the youth of today into meeting the challenges of the new millennium.
Addressing the annual general meeting of the Wa Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (WADPA) in Wa, in the Upper West Region, Dr Maasole said the role of the church in the new educational reform was very crucial.
The meeting was on the theme: “The church and state partnership in implementing the new education reform.”
“School education today must let the youth acquire something in knowledge and skills in information and technology if they are to prosper in the new millennium,” he stated.
He, therefore, stressed the need for the total involvement of all stakeholders in education, if the country was to achieve a middle-level income status by the year 2015.
Dr Maasole deplored the system where major policy decisions, such as the new educational reform, were done solely at the top and imposed on the implementors, stressing that when that happened, “they would accept the reform, but not the impetus for the reform”.
On ethnic conflict in the entire northern part of the country, Dr Maasole emphasised the need for all to help fight the war against violence.
He said violence was doing more harm to the entire social fabric of the northern society.
“These conflicts must be addressed, if we wished to be part of the new reform,” he said.
The Catholic Bishop of Wa, Most Rev. Paul Bemile, pointed out the role of the Catholic Church in the development of education since independence, and stressed the need for all to respect the religious freedoms and personal interests of students of other faith.
Bishop Bemile also gave a hint about the preparation of a new syllabus by the Catholic Bishops Conference under the reform, and urged teachers in the Catholic schools to rise up to the challenges of the time.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr George Hickah Benson, in a speech read on his behalf, commended the Catholic Church for its role in the development of education in the region and the country at large.
He expressed grave concern about the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the region as against the national prevalence rate, saying the prevalence rate in the region was higher than that of the entire nation.
For his part, the President of WADPA, Rev. Matthew Tuuronsong, urged the media to continue to stand by the truth at all times, even in the face of all opposition.
He called for the establishment of a new teacher training college to train more teachers for the region.
THE Vice-Dean of Students of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Wa Campus, Dr Clifford Maasole, has called for the institution of realistic mechanisms under the new educational reform to impart to students not only academic knowledge, but also skills, particularly in the area of information technology.
That, he said, was the only means to groom the youth of today into meeting the challenges of the new millennium.
Addressing the annual general meeting of the Wa Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (WADPA) in Wa, in the Upper West Region, Dr Maasole said the role of the church in the new educational reform was very crucial.
The meeting was on the theme: “The church and state partnership in implementing the new education reform.”
“School education today must let the youth acquire something in knowledge and skills in information and technology if they are to prosper in the new millennium,” he stated.
He, therefore, stressed the need for the total involvement of all stakeholders in education, if the country was to achieve a middle-level income status by the year 2015.
Dr Maasole deplored the system where major policy decisions, such as the new educational reform, were done solely at the top and imposed on the implementors, stressing that when that happened, “they would accept the reform, but not the impetus for the reform”.
On ethnic conflict in the entire northern part of the country, Dr Maasole emphasised the need for all to help fight the war against violence.
He said violence was doing more harm to the entire social fabric of the northern society.
“These conflicts must be addressed, if we wished to be part of the new reform,” he said.
The Catholic Bishop of Wa, Most Rev. Paul Bemile, pointed out the role of the Catholic Church in the development of education since independence, and stressed the need for all to respect the religious freedoms and personal interests of students of other faith.
Bishop Bemile also gave a hint about the preparation of a new syllabus by the Catholic Bishops Conference under the reform, and urged teachers in the Catholic schools to rise up to the challenges of the time.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr George Hickah Benson, in a speech read on his behalf, commended the Catholic Church for its role in the development of education in the region and the country at large.
He expressed grave concern about the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the region as against the national prevalence rate, saying the prevalence rate in the region was higher than that of the entire nation.
For his part, the President of WADPA, Rev. Matthew Tuuronsong, urged the media to continue to stand by the truth at all times, even in the face of all opposition.
He called for the establishment of a new teacher training college to train more teachers for the region.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
WA NHIS REGISTERS MORE CLIENTS (PAGE 20)
Story: Chris Nunoo
THE Wa Municipal Health Insurance Scheme has since its inception attracted 73,937 clients, representing 67 per cent of the total population of 112,050 in the municipality.
The Manager of the scheme, Mr Abdul Rahaman Alhassan, made this known when addressing the fourth annual general meeting of the scheme at Wa.
He, however, stated that in spite of the attainment of over 95 per cent coverage in terms of sensitisation, that had not had a direct impact on the number of people covered.
According to him, the scheme recorded 24 per cent increase in registration in 2005, went up to 50 per cent in 2006 and 67 per cent in 2007.
Mr Alhassan said 19,202 of the clients were from the informal sector, 8,005 being Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SNIT) contributors and 38,487 being people under 18 years.
He said 6,512 of the beneficiaries were over 70 years, 528 being indigents and 1,203 pensioners.
Mr Alhassan appealed to interested parties to come on board and join in wooing more people to register with the scheme.
He said a total of 64,563 cards were issued in 2007, adding that GH¢94,969.62 was also realised as premium by the end of last year.
The Wa Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Mohammed Aziz, in a speech read on his behalf, challenged the staff of the scheme to redouble their efforts to make the scheme one of the best in the country.
THE Wa Municipal Health Insurance Scheme has since its inception attracted 73,937 clients, representing 67 per cent of the total population of 112,050 in the municipality.
The Manager of the scheme, Mr Abdul Rahaman Alhassan, made this known when addressing the fourth annual general meeting of the scheme at Wa.
He, however, stated that in spite of the attainment of over 95 per cent coverage in terms of sensitisation, that had not had a direct impact on the number of people covered.
According to him, the scheme recorded 24 per cent increase in registration in 2005, went up to 50 per cent in 2006 and 67 per cent in 2007.
Mr Alhassan said 19,202 of the clients were from the informal sector, 8,005 being Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SNIT) contributors and 38,487 being people under 18 years.
He said 6,512 of the beneficiaries were over 70 years, 528 being indigents and 1,203 pensioners.
Mr Alhassan appealed to interested parties to come on board and join in wooing more people to register with the scheme.
He said a total of 64,563 cards were issued in 2007, adding that GH¢94,969.62 was also realised as premium by the end of last year.
The Wa Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Mohammed Aziz, in a speech read on his behalf, challenged the staff of the scheme to redouble their efforts to make the scheme one of the best in the country.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
TRUCK PUSHER HELD OVER BOY'S MURDER (PAGE 3)
Story: Chris Nunoo, Wa
A 37-YEAR-OLD truck pusher, Rufai Mohammed, a native of Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region, has been arrested by the Wa police for allegedly murdering a 15-year-old class six pupil of the Tanvere Methodist Primary School.
Rufai, who doubles as a tailor, was said to have travelled from Techiman to Balenfili Tugdo, a village near Wechau in the Wa West District, to carry out the act.
Sources close to the Upper West regional police told the Daily Graphic that Rufai, on arrival in the village, managed to convince the mother of Faawun Tieru, the victim, to allow her son to accompany him (Rufai) to the house of the chief of the village to spend the night.
The source said when the two reached the outskirts of the village, Rufai, without any provocation, allegedly murdered Faawun.
It said when after a while Faawun was not coming back home, his mother became worried and decided to follow up to find out what had kept him from returning home.
The source said on her way, the mother found the body of Faawun lying by the shoulder of the road.
It said she raised alarm, which attracted other people to the spot and a search party was quickly mobilised to trace Rufai but to no avail.
The source said Rufai resurfaced at Wechau the next day and he was identified and arrested by the people and subsequently handed over to the police.
The police source said Rufai was still being interrogated by the police while the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Wa Regional Hospital morgue for autopsy.
A 37-YEAR-OLD truck pusher, Rufai Mohammed, a native of Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region, has been arrested by the Wa police for allegedly murdering a 15-year-old class six pupil of the Tanvere Methodist Primary School.
Rufai, who doubles as a tailor, was said to have travelled from Techiman to Balenfili Tugdo, a village near Wechau in the Wa West District, to carry out the act.
Sources close to the Upper West regional police told the Daily Graphic that Rufai, on arrival in the village, managed to convince the mother of Faawun Tieru, the victim, to allow her son to accompany him (Rufai) to the house of the chief of the village to spend the night.
The source said when the two reached the outskirts of the village, Rufai, without any provocation, allegedly murdered Faawun.
It said when after a while Faawun was not coming back home, his mother became worried and decided to follow up to find out what had kept him from returning home.
The source said on her way, the mother found the body of Faawun lying by the shoulder of the road.
It said she raised alarm, which attracted other people to the spot and a search party was quickly mobilised to trace Rufai but to no avail.
The source said Rufai resurfaced at Wechau the next day and he was identified and arrested by the people and subsequently handed over to the police.
The police source said Rufai was still being interrogated by the police while the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Wa Regional Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Friday, May 9, 2008
CONDEMN RUNNING OS SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME (PAGE 11)
Story: Chris Nunoo, Wa
THE Deputy Upper West Regional Co-ordinating Director, Alhaji Isshaque Alhassan, has called on Ghanaians to condemn the way the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) is being managed and offer alternative solutions to the problems facing it.
This, he said was because the school feeding concept was very good, especially because it had positively impacted on school enrolment, improved nutrition and helped to develop education in general.
He has therefore, stressed the need for people to appreciate the idea behind the programme and help to improve and sustain it.
Alhaji Alhassan was speaking at a regional interface meeting of civil society and stakeholders of the GSFP at Wa, in the Upper West Region.
It was organised by Send Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, and it was aimed at bringing to the fore, problems associated with the GSFP in the region.
‘The School Feeding Programme is a good concept, despite the loopholes, but we do not have to throw the baby away with the bad water”, he said, adding that, Ghanaians must make the programme succeed.
For his part, the Country Director of Send Foundation, Mr Samuel Zan, said the meeting was neither meant to find faults with individuals nor institutions but to assess and evaluate the impact of the GSFP policy on school children.
He said the foundation was an advocate of the GSFP programme and was only interested in making the programme work.
Mr Zan therefore, expressed regret at the absence of the Upper West Regional Co-odinator of the GSFP at the meeting and commended representatives of other organisations who were present.
He said Ghanaians had the responsibility to ensure that the school feeding programme achieved the desired objectives.
THE Deputy Upper West Regional Co-ordinating Director, Alhaji Isshaque Alhassan, has called on Ghanaians to condemn the way the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) is being managed and offer alternative solutions to the problems facing it.
This, he said was because the school feeding concept was very good, especially because it had positively impacted on school enrolment, improved nutrition and helped to develop education in general.
He has therefore, stressed the need for people to appreciate the idea behind the programme and help to improve and sustain it.
Alhaji Alhassan was speaking at a regional interface meeting of civil society and stakeholders of the GSFP at Wa, in the Upper West Region.
It was organised by Send Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, and it was aimed at bringing to the fore, problems associated with the GSFP in the region.
‘The School Feeding Programme is a good concept, despite the loopholes, but we do not have to throw the baby away with the bad water”, he said, adding that, Ghanaians must make the programme succeed.
For his part, the Country Director of Send Foundation, Mr Samuel Zan, said the meeting was neither meant to find faults with individuals nor institutions but to assess and evaluate the impact of the GSFP policy on school children.
He said the foundation was an advocate of the GSFP programme and was only interested in making the programme work.
Mr Zan therefore, expressed regret at the absence of the Upper West Regional Co-odinator of the GSFP at the meeting and commended representatives of other organisations who were present.
He said Ghanaians had the responsibility to ensure that the school feeding programme achieved the desired objectives.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
REFEREE AGGREY NEARLY SPOILT DAY AT WA (G/SPORTS. PAGE 16)
STORY: CHRIS NUNOO, WA
The much talked-about premier league match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Wa All Stars lived up to its billing, but with much tension and expectations from both sides.
However, the beauty of the match was nearly marred as Tarkwa-based referee T.K. Aggrey and his men intermittently came up with some contentious decisions which led to his heckling by players of Accra Hearts of Oak when the only goal of the match was scored by Daniel Bomfah in the 72nd minute for Wa All Stars.
That notwithstanding, Hearts of Oak who many thought could make mince meat of the Wa club following the 3-0 defeat they handed All Stars in the first round, coupled with Hearts’ current win over Tema Real Sportive, failed to silence the fans in Wa after travelling all the way from Accra with a special jet to the Upper West region.
Wa All Stars proved to be very tough customers for the champion club to the extent that Hearts’ newly-found Israeli coach could hardly find the brakes to stop the All Stars attacking machine spearheaded by the fast running Issah Saliu, Ishmael Fridos and Daniel Bomfah.
The new-look All Stars side played according to the instructions of coach Emmanuel Quarshie and matched their opponents squarely from the begining of ht match. But when all seemed like the match was heading for an even fight, one of the recently recruited players for All Stars, Daniel Bomfah, did what mattered most by sloting the ball home for the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute; The players of Hearts, led by their skipper Issah Mohammed to protest briefly that the goal was a handball.
Speaking to the Graphic Sports in a post-match interview, an elated coach, Emmanuel Quarshie did not agree with the players of Hearts but commended his boys for a job well done and sounded a word of caution to all visiting teams to the Wa Sports stadium that All Stars were not prepared to relinquish even a single point at their home ground in the second round of the Onetouch Premier League. He appealed to the supporters of the club to exercise patience when the going gets tough and support the team to acheive more feats.
The much talked-about premier league match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Wa All Stars lived up to its billing, but with much tension and expectations from both sides.
However, the beauty of the match was nearly marred as Tarkwa-based referee T.K. Aggrey and his men intermittently came up with some contentious decisions which led to his heckling by players of Accra Hearts of Oak when the only goal of the match was scored by Daniel Bomfah in the 72nd minute for Wa All Stars.
That notwithstanding, Hearts of Oak who many thought could make mince meat of the Wa club following the 3-0 defeat they handed All Stars in the first round, coupled with Hearts’ current win over Tema Real Sportive, failed to silence the fans in Wa after travelling all the way from Accra with a special jet to the Upper West region.
Wa All Stars proved to be very tough customers for the champion club to the extent that Hearts’ newly-found Israeli coach could hardly find the brakes to stop the All Stars attacking machine spearheaded by the fast running Issah Saliu, Ishmael Fridos and Daniel Bomfah.
The new-look All Stars side played according to the instructions of coach Emmanuel Quarshie and matched their opponents squarely from the begining of ht match. But when all seemed like the match was heading for an even fight, one of the recently recruited players for All Stars, Daniel Bomfah, did what mattered most by sloting the ball home for the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute; The players of Hearts, led by their skipper Issah Mohammed to protest briefly that the goal was a handball.
Speaking to the Graphic Sports in a post-match interview, an elated coach, Emmanuel Quarshie did not agree with the players of Hearts but commended his boys for a job well done and sounded a word of caution to all visiting teams to the Wa Sports stadium that All Stars were not prepared to relinquish even a single point at their home ground in the second round of the Onetouch Premier League. He appealed to the supporters of the club to exercise patience when the going gets tough and support the team to acheive more feats.
10 NADOWLI COMMUNITIES TO GET BOREHOLES (PAGE 20)
Story: Chris Nunoo, Nadowli
TEN communities in the Nadowli District in the Upper West Region are to be provided with boreholes as part of measures to solve their perennial water problems and to also improve sanitation in the region.
The beneficiary communities include Bouyiri, Zimbogu, Gbanko, Eale, Loho-Guo and Dunjan.
Known as the Global Water Initiative of the Catholic Relief Service (CRS) the project will include the provision of new boreholes as well as the maintenance of existing ones.
The Nadowli District Chief Executive (DCE), Wing Commander (retd) Eric Dakurah, who made this known, said when the deal was done, the district would begin to manage its own water sources.
Wing Commander Dakurah, who was addressing the first ordinary meeting of the assembly this year at Nadowli, also announced the construction of 240 household latrines under a hygiene and sanitation programme.
Throwing more light on the construction of the household latrines, Mr Dakurah explained that all the beneficiary communities were to contribute 50 per cent of the project cost by way of communal labour, while the Assembly would contribute the remaining 50 per cent.
Touching on the development of education in the district, the DCE said the district was vigorously improving infrastructure and furniture, among other things, to attract more children to the schools in the area.
He commended the District Education Directorate for its efforts at uplifting education in the district, stressing that "the district was ranked first in the region in the 2007 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)."
The Presiding Member of the Assembly, Madam Hycintha Abatu Gyang, charged the Assembly members to endeavour to pay regular visits to their electoral areas to know at first-hand the problems confronting the people.
She also urged them to unite and accommodate one another as they worked to move the district forward.
TEN communities in the Nadowli District in the Upper West Region are to be provided with boreholes as part of measures to solve their perennial water problems and to also improve sanitation in the region.
The beneficiary communities include Bouyiri, Zimbogu, Gbanko, Eale, Loho-Guo and Dunjan.
Known as the Global Water Initiative of the Catholic Relief Service (CRS) the project will include the provision of new boreholes as well as the maintenance of existing ones.
The Nadowli District Chief Executive (DCE), Wing Commander (retd) Eric Dakurah, who made this known, said when the deal was done, the district would begin to manage its own water sources.
Wing Commander Dakurah, who was addressing the first ordinary meeting of the assembly this year at Nadowli, also announced the construction of 240 household latrines under a hygiene and sanitation programme.
Throwing more light on the construction of the household latrines, Mr Dakurah explained that all the beneficiary communities were to contribute 50 per cent of the project cost by way of communal labour, while the Assembly would contribute the remaining 50 per cent.
Touching on the development of education in the district, the DCE said the district was vigorously improving infrastructure and furniture, among other things, to attract more children to the schools in the area.
He commended the District Education Directorate for its efforts at uplifting education in the district, stressing that "the district was ranked first in the region in the 2007 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)."
The Presiding Member of the Assembly, Madam Hycintha Abatu Gyang, charged the Assembly members to endeavour to pay regular visits to their electoral areas to know at first-hand the problems confronting the people.
She also urged them to unite and accommodate one another as they worked to move the district forward.
PAY ATTENTION TO DRY SEASON FARMING — DEBRAH (PAGE 20)
Story: Chris Nunoo, Mandari
THE Minister of Agriculture, Mr Ernest Debrah, has challenged the chiefs and people of Mandari, near Bole in the Northern Region, to make good use of the various water bodies in the area.
He urged them to undertake dry season gardening to enhance food security in the area in particular and the nation at large.
Mr Debrah observed that relying solely on rain-fed agriculture could be disastrous, especially in times of drought since the gains made with respect to food production could be derailed.
The minister gave the advice in a speech read on his behalf during the celebration of the Seidu Bille festival at Mandari.
The Seidu Bille festival, which derived its name from the “tembi yam” from Cote d’Ivoire, is celebrated in April, every year, by the chiefs and people of Mandari.
It is to commemorate the arrival of Alhaji Seidu Bille from Cote d’Ivoire to Mandari with the “tembi yam” after visiting that country.
Mr Debrah said poverty reduction was one of the main concerns of the government and had manifested in the objectives being pursued by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in ensuring a lasting food security.
He paid tribute to Alhaji Seidu Bille for his gallant efforts of ensuring food security in the town.
The minister further advised farmers to stick to the recommended agronomic practices, adding that they should refrain from indiscriminate bush burning.
The Chief of Mandari, Mandariwura Mahama, appealed to the government for more development projects, such as electricity, schools, markets and an irrigation project to ensure an all-year-round farming in the community.
He said the communities in the area had never experienced any hunger since the introduction of the yam about 24 years ago.
The chief expressed regret that in spite of the enormous contributions of the people of Mandari to the nation’s food production over the years, not a single farmer had won a national award.
THE Minister of Agriculture, Mr Ernest Debrah, has challenged the chiefs and people of Mandari, near Bole in the Northern Region, to make good use of the various water bodies in the area.
He urged them to undertake dry season gardening to enhance food security in the area in particular and the nation at large.
Mr Debrah observed that relying solely on rain-fed agriculture could be disastrous, especially in times of drought since the gains made with respect to food production could be derailed.
The minister gave the advice in a speech read on his behalf during the celebration of the Seidu Bille festival at Mandari.
The Seidu Bille festival, which derived its name from the “tembi yam” from Cote d’Ivoire, is celebrated in April, every year, by the chiefs and people of Mandari.
It is to commemorate the arrival of Alhaji Seidu Bille from Cote d’Ivoire to Mandari with the “tembi yam” after visiting that country.
Mr Debrah said poverty reduction was one of the main concerns of the government and had manifested in the objectives being pursued by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in ensuring a lasting food security.
He paid tribute to Alhaji Seidu Bille for his gallant efforts of ensuring food security in the town.
The minister further advised farmers to stick to the recommended agronomic practices, adding that they should refrain from indiscriminate bush burning.
The Chief of Mandari, Mandariwura Mahama, appealed to the government for more development projects, such as electricity, schools, markets and an irrigation project to ensure an all-year-round farming in the community.
He said the communities in the area had never experienced any hunger since the introduction of the yam about 24 years ago.
The chief expressed regret that in spite of the enormous contributions of the people of Mandari to the nation’s food production over the years, not a single farmer had won a national award.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
WA TO BURST AT THE SEAMS ...As All Stars host Hearts (PAGE 31)
Story: Chris Nunoo, Wa
The excitement that has gripped the Wa municipality over tomorrow’s Onetouch Premier League clash between Accra Hearts of Oak and Wa All Stars at the Wa sports stadium has led to an increase in the gate fees from GH¢2 to GH¢4 for the popular stand, with the fee for the VIP stand going up from GH¢3 to GH¢5.
Fans of the Wa club are leaving no stone unturned and have vowed to support their team right from the blast of the referee’s whistle to the end. To them the price hike would not discourage them from trooping to the stadium in their numbers to cheer their idol club.
Call it the talk of the town and you would not be mistaken as the everyday politics in the municipality has been relegated to the background because of the encounter. The song on the lips of many of All Stars supporters is that Hearts will leave Wa with a 2-0 deficit, but the few Hearts of Oak supporters in town have kept their cool, saying that they are waiting till Sunday “since the field would decide”.
All Stars have promised not to leave anything to chance as the second round gradually gathers momentum. This has also been buttressed by the Chairman of the club, Mr Yunusah Abdul Rahman, that the team was poised to avenge all the defeats it suffered in the first round of the league.
The much-publicised encounter is also expected to live up to its billing, especially as there is every indication that the stadium would attract one of the largest crowds since All Stars gained admission to the premiership.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the chairman of the club, Mr Abdul Rahman, assured supporters of both teams of maximum security, saying the current healthy rivalry in the municipality must be extended to the field of play.
He said All Stars were more than determined to win against all the teams they lost to in the first round and warned those teams to be on their guard.
Mr Rahman, who spoke with confidence, said Hearts of Oak would see a new look All Stars side, especially with the beefing up of the team with former Kotoko stars, Godfred Yeboah, Kwabena Dodzie, Daniel and Bomfah and Habib Mohammed.
Mr Rahman said all the various support groups of Wa All Stars from the other regions have started arriving in Wa for a special float today and appealed to all those who love Wa All Stars to come and support the team to victory.
The excitement that has gripped the Wa municipality over tomorrow’s Onetouch Premier League clash between Accra Hearts of Oak and Wa All Stars at the Wa sports stadium has led to an increase in the gate fees from GH¢2 to GH¢4 for the popular stand, with the fee for the VIP stand going up from GH¢3 to GH¢5.
Fans of the Wa club are leaving no stone unturned and have vowed to support their team right from the blast of the referee’s whistle to the end. To them the price hike would not discourage them from trooping to the stadium in their numbers to cheer their idol club.
Call it the talk of the town and you would not be mistaken as the everyday politics in the municipality has been relegated to the background because of the encounter. The song on the lips of many of All Stars supporters is that Hearts will leave Wa with a 2-0 deficit, but the few Hearts of Oak supporters in town have kept their cool, saying that they are waiting till Sunday “since the field would decide”.
All Stars have promised not to leave anything to chance as the second round gradually gathers momentum. This has also been buttressed by the Chairman of the club, Mr Yunusah Abdul Rahman, that the team was poised to avenge all the defeats it suffered in the first round of the league.
The much-publicised encounter is also expected to live up to its billing, especially as there is every indication that the stadium would attract one of the largest crowds since All Stars gained admission to the premiership.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the chairman of the club, Mr Abdul Rahman, assured supporters of both teams of maximum security, saying the current healthy rivalry in the municipality must be extended to the field of play.
He said All Stars were more than determined to win against all the teams they lost to in the first round and warned those teams to be on their guard.
Mr Rahman, who spoke with confidence, said Hearts of Oak would see a new look All Stars side, especially with the beefing up of the team with former Kotoko stars, Godfred Yeboah, Kwabena Dodzie, Daniel and Bomfah and Habib Mohammed.
Mr Rahman said all the various support groups of Wa All Stars from the other regions have started arriving in Wa for a special float today and appealed to all those who love Wa All Stars to come and support the team to victory.
Friday, May 2, 2008
HEADMASTER FAILS TO REGISTER 14 BECE CANDIDATES (PAGE 11)
Story: Chris Nunoo, Wa
THE future of 14 students of Nyagli Junior High School in the Wa municipality who wrote the just- ended Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is in the balance.
This is because of the failure of the headmaster of the school, Mr Abu K. Salifu, to register them after he allegedly collected various sums of money ranging from GH¢14 to GH¢18 as registration fees from them.
Mr Salifu, who was asked to report at the Wa Police Station after he had been reported to the police by one of the aggrieved candidates, was arrested and remanded in prison custody by a Wa District Magistrate’s Court presided over by Nana Alfred Rockson Kpodo.
He pleaded not guilty to a charge of defrauding by false pretence and is to reappear on May 13, 2008.
The Upper West Regional Police Commander, ACP Robert Ayalingo, who briefed the Daily Graphic, said the affected students were turned away when they went to the examination centre to write their examination.
That, he said, was because their names could not be traced in the register of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
Mr Ayalingo said six out of the 14 aggrieved candidates had so far reported the matter to the police.
The Wa Municipal Director of Education, Madam Scholastica Gyiele, confirmed the story and explained that the BECE candidates Mr Salifu should have registered were eight. However, her outfit later got to know that Mr Salifu had as many as 124 candidates, including the eight candidates from the Nyagli Junior High School.
“We did not know where he got the extra 116 candidates from”, she pointed out and said Mr Salifu even delayed the registration of the 124 students until her office intervened.
She said a relative of Mr Salifu later had to mobilise the money paid by the 124 students for the municipal education directorate to go ahead with the registration.
After the 124 candidates had been registered, Madam Gylele said, Mr Salifu still went round to collect money from other candidates with the assurance that he would register them for the BECE.
She said 14 students later reported at the examination centre on the first day of the BECE but when the officials looked through the WAEC registration records their names could not be found.
“Fortunately, Mr Salifu was around at the time the students came so we told the students to iron out the issue with him”, she said and added that the students later left the premises with Mr Salifu.
THE future of 14 students of Nyagli Junior High School in the Wa municipality who wrote the just- ended Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is in the balance.
This is because of the failure of the headmaster of the school, Mr Abu K. Salifu, to register them after he allegedly collected various sums of money ranging from GH¢14 to GH¢18 as registration fees from them.
Mr Salifu, who was asked to report at the Wa Police Station after he had been reported to the police by one of the aggrieved candidates, was arrested and remanded in prison custody by a Wa District Magistrate’s Court presided over by Nana Alfred Rockson Kpodo.
He pleaded not guilty to a charge of defrauding by false pretence and is to reappear on May 13, 2008.
The Upper West Regional Police Commander, ACP Robert Ayalingo, who briefed the Daily Graphic, said the affected students were turned away when they went to the examination centre to write their examination.
That, he said, was because their names could not be traced in the register of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
Mr Ayalingo said six out of the 14 aggrieved candidates had so far reported the matter to the police.
The Wa Municipal Director of Education, Madam Scholastica Gyiele, confirmed the story and explained that the BECE candidates Mr Salifu should have registered were eight. However, her outfit later got to know that Mr Salifu had as many as 124 candidates, including the eight candidates from the Nyagli Junior High School.
“We did not know where he got the extra 116 candidates from”, she pointed out and said Mr Salifu even delayed the registration of the 124 students until her office intervened.
She said a relative of Mr Salifu later had to mobilise the money paid by the 124 students for the municipal education directorate to go ahead with the registration.
After the 124 candidates had been registered, Madam Gylele said, Mr Salifu still went round to collect money from other candidates with the assurance that he would register them for the BECE.
She said 14 students later reported at the examination centre on the first day of the BECE but when the officials looked through the WAEC registration records their names could not be found.
“Fortunately, Mr Salifu was around at the time the students came so we told the students to iron out the issue with him”, she said and added that the students later left the premises with Mr Salifu.
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