THE Wa Campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) has launched its women’s week celebration with a challenge to female students to be at the forefront in the efforts to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
The celebration from March 22 to 28, 2009 is being sponsored by Stanbic Bank, and it is on the theme: “Effective action to combat HIV/AIDS — the role of female students”.
Launching the event, the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mohammed Khalid, commended the women’s commissioner and the female students for setting aside a week to deliberate on such a significant topic.
This, he said, was because the HIV/AIDS rate in the region, particularly the Wa municipality, was scary.
“In the Wa municipality for instance, the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS has soared from 3.2 per cent since 2005 to 5.8 per cent in 2007 and the main causes are through heterosexual transmission,” he noted.
The regional minister disclosed that the prevalence rate in the entire region was 3.1 per cent, which, he said, was also more than that of the national prevalence rate of 2.6 per cent.
He, therefore, lauded the efforts of the women’s commissioner and the Faculty for Integrated Development Studies (FIDS) and urged the students to devise strategies and methods through which the pandemic could be dealt with effectively.
On the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the nation’s development, Mr Khalid pointed out that the disease was beyond just a health problem.
He noted that it was presently a development issue, since majority of those who were infected were people within the working class.
Mr Khalid advised students especially the females to abstain from premarital sex and be faithful to one’s partner or possibly use a condom.
Mr Khalid further advised that they go beyond the campus to reach out to the general public with the message on HIV/AIDS.
Commenting on the recent impasse between students and the university authorities, Mr Khalid expressed appreciation to both parties for their roles in helping to resolve the issue amicably.
He, however, appealed to students to endeavour to use the appropriate channels whenever they sought solutions to their grievances.
For her part, the Women’s Commissioner, Miss Eunice Yagiire, promised to bring on board their male counterparts to be able to reach out to more people with the message on HIV/AIDS especially on behavioural change.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
NDC, NPP, DFP TO CONTEST JIRAPA SEAT (PAGE 14)
Three candidates from three political parties, namely the National Democratic Congress, (NDC), New Patriotic Party(NPP) and the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) have filed their nomination to contest the Jirapa by-election on April 7, 2009.
They are Mr Francis Bawaana Dakura, a 49-year-old anthropologist who is contesting on the ticket of the NDC; Mr Justin Dakorah, 58, a Director of Education and a former District Chief Executive for Jirapa, and a young, female teacher, Miss Joycelyn Angsiema, 33, for the DPP.
Mr Yahaya Mahama, the Upper West Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, in an interview told the Daily Graphic that as at the close of nomination last Wednesday, only the three candidates had filed their nomination.
He said the candidates, particularly those from the NPP and the NDC, delayed in filing their nominations because each of them wanted a strategic position on the ballot sheet.
He said the Jirapa bye-election was very important in the democratic dispensation of the country, and urged the electorate in the constituency to come out in their numbers to vote on April 7, 2009.
“Every vote counts, therefore I entreat all eligible voters to come out and cast their votes” he said.
The Jirapa by-election became necessary as a result of the death of the Member of Parliament (MP), Edward Salia.
They are Mr Francis Bawaana Dakura, a 49-year-old anthropologist who is contesting on the ticket of the NDC; Mr Justin Dakorah, 58, a Director of Education and a former District Chief Executive for Jirapa, and a young, female teacher, Miss Joycelyn Angsiema, 33, for the DPP.
Mr Yahaya Mahama, the Upper West Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, in an interview told the Daily Graphic that as at the close of nomination last Wednesday, only the three candidates had filed their nomination.
He said the candidates, particularly those from the NPP and the NDC, delayed in filing their nominations because each of them wanted a strategic position on the ballot sheet.
He said the Jirapa bye-election was very important in the democratic dispensation of the country, and urged the electorate in the constituency to come out in their numbers to vote on April 7, 2009.
“Every vote counts, therefore I entreat all eligible voters to come out and cast their votes” he said.
The Jirapa by-election became necessary as a result of the death of the Member of Parliament (MP), Edward Salia.
LATE JIRAPA MP INTERRED (PAGE 13)
THE mortal remains of the late Member of Parliament (MP) for the Jirapa Constituency in the Upper West Region, Edward Salia, was at the weekend interred at his home town at Chapuri, near Jirapa.
The remains which were flown in last Friday from Accra after a state funeral at the forecourt of the State House, was for the second time laid in state for a vigil at his hometown after which a special church service was held on Saturday before it was carried to the grave site, right in front of the house of the late MP.
As if it was a show of cars and motorcycles, the entire funeral premises was choked with a fleet of vehicles ranging from saloon cars to mummy trucks and motorcycles, carrying mourners from all over the country to Chapuri.
As of about 9:45a.m. when the Daily Graphic arrived at the funeral grounds, the whole place was awashed with red or black while almost all the seats, with the exception of those reserved for the dignitaries were occupied.
The burial service also attracted hundreds of people from all walks of life, including a government delegation led by a member of the Council of State, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, ministers of state, members of parliament from the various political divide, parliamentary staff as well as national and regional political party executives.
There was business as usual as some food vendors, particularly those who dealt in alcoholic beverages, took advantage of the gathering to do brisk business. Some health workers also mounted a table under one of the canopies and offered medical care to people. Ambulances were also put on standby to cater for any eventualities.
Such was the thickness of the crowd that at a point the master of ceremony had to plead with people who could not find chairs to sit on to bear with the organisers of the funeral, saying “We have managed to transport all the chairs you can think of in the Upper West Region to the funeral ground so please bear with us”.
In a sermon, the Catholic Bishop of Wa, Most Rev Paul Bemile, reminded the people that life comes from God and that it must go back to God when the time came.
He said each individual must be another’s keeper because whatever we do we would one day have to give an account of our stewardship.
He urged people to emulate the good human relation, hardwork and generosity of the late Edward Salia, adding that we must as well avoid selfishness.
Describing the late MP as a little humble mover, most Rev Bemile said because of the humility of Edward Salia he had been able to move almost the whole country to Chapuri.
The government later donated GH¢5000 and drinks to the bereaved family.
There were other donations from Parliament, political parties, institutions and individuals.
The remains which were flown in last Friday from Accra after a state funeral at the forecourt of the State House, was for the second time laid in state for a vigil at his hometown after which a special church service was held on Saturday before it was carried to the grave site, right in front of the house of the late MP.
As if it was a show of cars and motorcycles, the entire funeral premises was choked with a fleet of vehicles ranging from saloon cars to mummy trucks and motorcycles, carrying mourners from all over the country to Chapuri.
As of about 9:45a.m. when the Daily Graphic arrived at the funeral grounds, the whole place was awashed with red or black while almost all the seats, with the exception of those reserved for the dignitaries were occupied.
The burial service also attracted hundreds of people from all walks of life, including a government delegation led by a member of the Council of State, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, ministers of state, members of parliament from the various political divide, parliamentary staff as well as national and regional political party executives.
There was business as usual as some food vendors, particularly those who dealt in alcoholic beverages, took advantage of the gathering to do brisk business. Some health workers also mounted a table under one of the canopies and offered medical care to people. Ambulances were also put on standby to cater for any eventualities.
Such was the thickness of the crowd that at a point the master of ceremony had to plead with people who could not find chairs to sit on to bear with the organisers of the funeral, saying “We have managed to transport all the chairs you can think of in the Upper West Region to the funeral ground so please bear with us”.
In a sermon, the Catholic Bishop of Wa, Most Rev Paul Bemile, reminded the people that life comes from God and that it must go back to God when the time came.
He said each individual must be another’s keeper because whatever we do we would one day have to give an account of our stewardship.
He urged people to emulate the good human relation, hardwork and generosity of the late Edward Salia, adding that we must as well avoid selfishness.
Describing the late MP as a little humble mover, most Rev Bemile said because of the humility of Edward Salia he had been able to move almost the whole country to Chapuri.
The government later donated GH¢5000 and drinks to the bereaved family.
There were other donations from Parliament, political parties, institutions and individuals.
Monday, March 16, 2009
DAKURA GETS NOD FOR JIRAPA NDC (PAGE 13)
A 47-year-old anthropologist, Dr Francis Bawaana Dakura, has been elected as the parliamentary candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to contest the Jirapa Constituency by-election.
Mr Paul Dergubaa of the UNDP had 59 votes while Prof. Bruce Baneong Yakubu of the University of Ghana polled 51 votes. The youngest contestant, Mr Evans Sinkari of the Rural Action Aid Programme (RAAP), a non-governemental organisation, also managed to poll 29 votes. Two votes were rejected with two delegates also being absent.
The election, which was very transparent and keenly contested, attracted a sizeable crowd who met the announcement of Dr Dakura as the winner with spontaneous cheers.
In his acceptance speech, Dr Dakura urged the delegates and supporters of the party to close their ranks, and said, “All the camps formed before the primaries ceased to exist”.
“Now there is no Dergubaa campaign team, Sinkari or Banoeng Yakubu campaign teams but an NDC campaign team” he stressed and thanked the delegates for the honour done him.
The General Secretary of the party, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, congratulated the delegates and the contestants for the positive attitude they exhibited throughout the period of voting.
He said the Jirapa Constituency had never had a primary in the history of the party and, therefore, there were fears there could be some difficulties.
“Now that we have successfully come out of the primary elections, the only tribute we can pay to the late Edward Salia, is to work hard to retain the seat”. Mr Asiedu Nketiah stated.
The Jirapa by-election came about as a result of the sudden death of the member of Parliament, Edward Salia, compelling the Electoral Commission to settle on April 7, 2009 as the day for the by-election.
Mr Paul Dergubaa of the UNDP had 59 votes while Prof. Bruce Baneong Yakubu of the University of Ghana polled 51 votes. The youngest contestant, Mr Evans Sinkari of the Rural Action Aid Programme (RAAP), a non-governemental organisation, also managed to poll 29 votes. Two votes were rejected with two delegates also being absent.
The election, which was very transparent and keenly contested, attracted a sizeable crowd who met the announcement of Dr Dakura as the winner with spontaneous cheers.
In his acceptance speech, Dr Dakura urged the delegates and supporters of the party to close their ranks, and said, “All the camps formed before the primaries ceased to exist”.
“Now there is no Dergubaa campaign team, Sinkari or Banoeng Yakubu campaign teams but an NDC campaign team” he stressed and thanked the delegates for the honour done him.
The General Secretary of the party, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, congratulated the delegates and the contestants for the positive attitude they exhibited throughout the period of voting.
He said the Jirapa Constituency had never had a primary in the history of the party and, therefore, there were fears there could be some difficulties.
“Now that we have successfully come out of the primary elections, the only tribute we can pay to the late Edward Salia, is to work hard to retain the seat”. Mr Asiedu Nketiah stated.
The Jirapa by-election came about as a result of the sudden death of the member of Parliament, Edward Salia, compelling the Electoral Commission to settle on April 7, 2009 as the day for the by-election.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
STRUGGLE FOR JIRAPA SEAT BEGINS IN EARNEST (PAGE 16)
Even before the performance of the final funeral rites of the late Member of Parliament (MP) for Jirapa, Mr Edward Salia, on March 21, 2009, the scramble for the seat has started in earnest within the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Reliable sources close to the party hinted the Daily Graphic in Wa that eight people, including three prominent ones, namely, Dr Paul Deribah, Dr Francis Dakorah, an anthropologist based in the United Kingdom, and Prof. Bruce Banoeng-Yakubu of the University of Ghana, had picked forms to contest the primary at the close of nominations last Sunday.
According to the sources, each contestant would be expected to pay GH¢1,000 as nomination fee in order to qualify for the primary.
The late MP, who passed away about a month ago, won the 2008 parliamentary election while on his sick bed with a little over 15,000 votes, as against 6,000 for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, even though Mr Salia never campaigned.
This scenario, therefore, makes the upcoming by-election very exciting and competitive, as the opposition NPP is also working very hard to win the seat to add up to its number of seats in Parliament.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission has earmarked March 17 and 18, 2009 as the days for the filing of nominations by the candidates of the various political parties, while the election will be held on April 7, 2009.
Reliable sources close to the party hinted the Daily Graphic in Wa that eight people, including three prominent ones, namely, Dr Paul Deribah, Dr Francis Dakorah, an anthropologist based in the United Kingdom, and Prof. Bruce Banoeng-Yakubu of the University of Ghana, had picked forms to contest the primary at the close of nominations last Sunday.
According to the sources, each contestant would be expected to pay GH¢1,000 as nomination fee in order to qualify for the primary.
The late MP, who passed away about a month ago, won the 2008 parliamentary election while on his sick bed with a little over 15,000 votes, as against 6,000 for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, even though Mr Salia never campaigned.
This scenario, therefore, makes the upcoming by-election very exciting and competitive, as the opposition NPP is also working very hard to win the seat to add up to its number of seats in Parliament.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission has earmarked March 17 and 18, 2009 as the days for the filing of nominations by the candidates of the various political parties, while the election will be held on April 7, 2009.
APPOINTMENT OF YIELEH CHIEREH LAUDED (PAGE 15)
THE Wa West Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has commended President J.E.A. Mills for the trust he has reposed in its Member of Parliament (MP) as the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.
A statement by the Constituency Secretary, Mr Iddrisu Abdulai, said the appointment of Mr Yieleh Chireh as minister was ample demonstration of the good leadership of President Mills.
It said, Mr Yieleh Chireh, had over the years used his experience in Parliament to bring development to the constituency as well as worked tirelessly towards the growth of the NDC in the constituency.
“We of the NDC in the Wa West Constituency therefore congratulate President Mills for mastering the courage to entrust such a ministry as the Local Government and Rural Development under the care of Mr Yieleh Chireh,” the statement said.
It further added that the constituency appreciated the work of President Mills so far, especially in the area of ministerial appointments, as it reinforced the Presidents promise to form a government of national unity.
The statement expressed the hope that Mr Yieleh Chireh would bring his expertise to bear on the moral character and exceptional leadership qualities as he worked to enhance the development of the whole country.
A statement by the Constituency Secretary, Mr Iddrisu Abdulai, said the appointment of Mr Yieleh Chireh as minister was ample demonstration of the good leadership of President Mills.
It said, Mr Yieleh Chireh, had over the years used his experience in Parliament to bring development to the constituency as well as worked tirelessly towards the growth of the NDC in the constituency.
“We of the NDC in the Wa West Constituency therefore congratulate President Mills for mastering the courage to entrust such a ministry as the Local Government and Rural Development under the care of Mr Yieleh Chireh,” the statement said.
It further added that the constituency appreciated the work of President Mills so far, especially in the area of ministerial appointments, as it reinforced the Presidents promise to form a government of national unity.
The statement expressed the hope that Mr Yieleh Chireh would bring his expertise to bear on the moral character and exceptional leadership qualities as he worked to enhance the development of the whole country.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
WA CAMPUS OF UDS RE-OPENS (PAGE 3)
THE Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) will be reopened today, March 3, 2009 after it was closed down last Friday.
The university authorities are to reinstate the two SRC leaders who were removed from office by the university over their alleged involvement in a demonstration on campus and for participating in radio programmes in which they castigated the university authorities.
This follows an agreement reached between the university authorities and the Students Representative Council (SRC) leadership at a meeting with the three-member government delegation and the alumni of the university.
The Dean of the Wa Campus of the UDS, Rev Prof Abraham Berinyu, in a telephone interview, confirmed this to the Daily Graphic and said as part of the agreement under the MOU, no student would be victimised.
The university authorities are to reinstate the two SRC leaders who were removed from office by the university over their alleged involvement in a demonstration on campus and for participating in radio programmes in which they castigated the university authorities.
This follows an agreement reached between the university authorities and the Students Representative Council (SRC) leadership at a meeting with the three-member government delegation and the alumni of the university.
The Dean of the Wa Campus of the UDS, Rev Prof Abraham Berinyu, in a telephone interview, confirmed this to the Daily Graphic and said as part of the agreement under the MOU, no student would be victimised.
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