With the arrival of mobile phone companies in the country, it was thought that Ghanaians were going to be relieved of the poor services that were being rendered at the time by the then Ghana Telecom with their fixed land line operations.
But now what do we see after their arrival? The companies, armed with selling points that vend phone units in virtually every corner of the country and situated at vantage points across the country, are only engaged in coming tops in the competition among themselves.
This has culminated in some kind of advertising war. Billboards of various sizes have sprung up all over the place. The competition is very keen on television and radio for instance. Under the circumstances it is as if the customer is of no consequence.
In as much as they want to entice and attract more people to hook onto their networks, they must equally show some interest in the well-being of their customers.
All the networks have problems and yet surprisingly, they are all concentrating on churning out adverts and engaging in sponsorship programmes.
One wonders why they cannot use some of the money they are reaping from us to improve on their services so that we could all enjoy and have quality service.
At the UDS main campus at Bamahu for instance, service is so poor that sometimes I feel like locking up my cell phone and not using it again. Communication is vital and if these keep on occurring then it is better we live without the companies so that at least we could find other means to communicate with each other. The telecommunications companies are not really up to the task.
Some are only concentrated in the regional capitals to the neglect of other parts of the country.
I suggest that the companies embark on a special programme to know at first hand the problems that their customers face, particularly those of us on school campuses.
Many people use multiple phones not to show off but do so in an attempt to ward off problems associated with connectivity on some networks.
Telecommunication service providers are really not living up to expectation. Infact, they have taken us for granted for far too long. All they do is to spend huge sums of money advertising promotions without thinking about rectifying the problems associated with their services.
Many times that I make calls I am told the recipient’s phone is switched off when in fact it is not so. There was a time I sent a text message as early as five o’clock in the morning and it was received the next day. Such hitches are common with all the networks.
Seriously, problems with the networks have caused many people a lot of suffering, including break up of relationships.
Ghanaians have to rise up and begin to take action against these companies. This I believe will make them sit up and give us quality service for our money.
Mobile phones have come to stay and so it is important to push the telecommunication companies to make them live up to expectation.
With regard to the use of the units, it is important that we are not given actual figures. Currently so much is deducted after very few minutes of talk. Sometimes units are deducted when calls have even not been made.
One wonders whether the companies are serving our interest or their own selfish interest. It is as if their only interest is in taking our money and give us poor services.
It is we the customers who patronise their services to enable them to engage and spend massively on sponsorship programmes and on billboards and other forms of adverts.
If we do not patronise their products and services they do not get money, so it is important that they see us as crucial to their existence.
Ever since I began using the mobile phone, I have tried all the networks and the problems are the same all over. Either there are network connectivity problems or the caller is told the recipient’s phone is switched off.
The phone companies also have to improve on their tariff rates and problems associated with network communications. At times too, one hears some funny noise while making calls as well as breaks in communications which sometimes leaves callers out of reach with each other.
All these must be checked so that customers are not exploited. They need also to improve on their customer care services as well.
I once called the customer service centre of one of the networks and was told to hold on. I held on for a very long time without any response.
Truth must be told about how long their phone card units can last so that we would know how long we can talk with the kind of units that we buy.
As a people we need to stand up with one voice and fight any kind of deceit. Ghanaians are always looking up to God to solve their problems for them. It is about time that we also did things to help ourselves. It is the always leave-it-to-God syndrome that has landed us where we are today.
Indeed, poor services rendered by the mobile phone service providers leave some nostalgic about the good old land lines of yester years. Though that era also had its problems those were well understood and it was not like today when though the customer is promised heaven through the many adverts on radio and television, we are treated poorly.
The telecommunication companies ought to know that their customers are a significant part of their success stories and need to be treated with dignity.
They must understand that their presence does affect communication in a significant way. Before their arrival we were communicating, and that their presence is only for the sake of convenience.
The least said about the telecommunications companies the better. I am not receiving satisfactory service from the telecommunication network that I use.
Personally, I communicate a lot with people connected to the various networks, MTN, Tigo, Vodafone and Zain, and the feedback has always been the same. Either there is an error in connection or the recipient’s phone is switched off, yet most invariably this is not the case.
I keep wondering if these companies do not receive complaints from their customers or may be they do receive the complaints but turn a blind eye to them
Sometimes when I make calls I receive the message “Error in connection” and this can sometimes continue on end, until the client you are dealing with would withdraw from the deal or business. At other times too, the phone freezes and could remain like that till the next day.
The mobile phone companies really have to sit up and work hard. A time will come when Ghanaians would take legal action against companies that provide poor services.
Many of the inconveniences customers suffer bring with them a lot of cost and I think that it was about time the companies compensated customers for their troubles.
They could do this by either extending the life line of our chips or give us free units in place of units lost through no fault of the customer. They have to give us quality service to justify the money they take from us. Now mobile phones are no longer the ostentatious items they were sometime ago. Today, they are a necessity which every individual must own in this communication age.
Competition is good but it should not be conducted at the expense of customers. I think that the telecommunication companies, though scattered all over the country, are taking us for a ride. Customers are not getting the kind of quality service they have been expecting all these years.
My major concern is that though I buy credit I am almost invariably not able to even feed it onto my mobile phone. Some times when scratching the start-up card, all the numbers get wiped off. All these need to be checked by the companies if they really want some of us to stick to their networks.
We are tired of messages that inform us always that “The mobile number you are calling is switched off or out of coverage area”, when the person is just by you and his or her mobile phone is on.
I think that they will have to do whatever they need to do to improve their services, which I think they have to do quickly since the use of mobile phones is now the order of the day.
Even children these days are using mobile phones and so the earlier these telecom institutions improve on their services and gave us quality services the better. The companies are making huge profits. If you consider the number of units people buy on a daily basis, you could guess what I’m talking about.
I do agree that as human institutions that use machinery for their operations there are bound to be problems but when the problems become the order of the day then it gives indication that things are getting out of hand.
The idea would be to switch on to another network once the customer faces problems. But when you get used to a particular network switching to another becomes a problem.
I am a customer of both MTN and Vodafone, and so far I am happy with the services I receive though once in a while poor reception becomes a problem. I do not know if it happens as a result of the weather conditions we have.
With the rains about to set in, the mobile phone networks go into all manner of difficulties and this is where I want the companies to monitor developments carefully and tackle them so that they do not become perennial. For those of us using modems supplied by some of these companies to connect to the Internet, it is indeed a major concern because during the rainy season when the weather is so bad it becomes difficult to even send pictures by the Internet, as the system freezes. Meanwhile, during the interruption units keep running.
This is something that the companies need to critically work on. When not rendering any service to me why should units be deducted? This is cheating and the telecom companies would have to watch these things.
All in all, I think we need them and they also need us. Therefore, it is about time they sat up and gave us our money’s worth.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
BREAKING THE SILENCE ON SCHOOL-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE (PAGE 11, MARCH 23, 2010)
Aminata Seidu (not her real name) was born and bred at a village in the Sissala West District of the Upper West Region.
She never knew about education, never thought of going to school and so she did not even understand why her parents always went to farm and but wanted her to go to school. On one occasion, she even went to the extent of asking her parents why she must go to school while they always went to farm.
However, after strenuous efforts, Aminata’s parents, together with members of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), managed to convince her to come to the realisation that it was important for every child to be in school to develop himself or herself.
Consequently, Aminata enrolled in school and her brilliance began to show. She became the toast of the entire school and was loved by both students and teachers. She began to market her village and was more or less the saviour of the school anytime it came to debates and other competitions against schools in neighbouring communities.
A teacher in the school who could not let his eyes off the young brilliant girl proposed to her but, being the intelligent girl that she was, she turned the proposal down. The teacher, who did not take kindly to the young girl’s stand, started intimidating her, both in class and anywhere he found her in the school.
That, along with other forms of threat, brought with it some sort of fear in Aminata who, from then on, could not even ask or answer questions in class as she used to. This affected her performance, to the surprise of many, but she could not confide in anyone, neither did the other school authorities bother to find out from her what was happening to her.
Aminata, for fear of being punished by the teacher, started boycotting classes and eventually dropped out.
This and many of such instances have contributed to the harassment of female students and pupils in the school environment and those who cannot withstand the harassment drop out of school.
For this reason, Plan International, an international NGO, embarked on a research to find out the effects of sexual harassment on many children of school-going age in various communities in other parts of the world.
The Tumu Programme Area Manager of Plan Ghana, Mr Richard Boadu, at a ceremony to launch an initiative known as the “Learning without fear” campaign at Gwollu in the Sissala West District, quoted a World Health Organisation (WHO) report in 2002 which estimated that 150 million girls and 73 million boys under 18 had either been raped or suffered other forms of sexual violence.
Mr Boadu said apart from sexual exploitation of pupils and students, there was also the issue of bullying which, in the long term, led to the development of violent behaviour in schools.
He said victims of bullying, whether physical or verbal, tended to lose their self esteem, feel ashamed and, in the long term, tend to dislike schooling.
On the issue of sexual violence, he noted that victims usually suffered psychological trauma and could be infected with sexually transmitted diseases, in addition to unwanted pregnancies, which could also lead to unsafe abortions, social stigmatisation or the victims being forced to drop out of school.
It turned out that even though corporal punishment was widespread in African schools, it was against the laws in 21 out of the 51 African countries.
He said Plan Ghana, a subsidiary of Plan International, was working closely with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to provide training for teachers and also enforce teachers’ code of ethics as part of efforts to eliminate that canker from schools to make them more attractive to pupils and students, particularly those in remote areas.
“It is time to break the silence on school-based sexual exploitation and the abuse of children to get more and more children to enrol in schools,” Mr Boadu stressed, and explained that more schools in the southern part of the country were familiar with the “Learning without fear” campaign and so Plan Ghana was extending the programme to the northern sector, starting in the Sissala West District.
He said the organisation had also embarked on radio talk-shows to propagate the message and encourage people to take their education seriously.
He also appealed to all, including teachers, parents, the police, among other stakeholders, to support the “Learning without fear” initiative to make schools less intimidating for pupils and students and ensure a violence-free school environment for children.
Launching the initiative, the Sissala West District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Robert Wavei, said the fear of not being protected came with a lot of consequences, including lack of concentration in class, and expressed the hope that the “Learning without fear” campaign would boost the confidence of pupils and students to confront the challenges.
He advised teachers, especially male ones, to always bear in mind that the pupils and students put under their care were to be moulded and not to be molested.
Mr Wavei also reminded teachers that it was not always right to use the cane, since sometimes counselling was the best option.
He also advised students who maltreated their peers to desist from that behaviour.
A committee with representations from the Department of Social Welfare, the GES, Youth Vision, an NGO, the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Police Service (DOVVSU) and some members of the Rights of the Child (ROC) groups of Plan Ghana, was later inaugurated to see to the effective implementation of the “Learning without fear” campaign.
She never knew about education, never thought of going to school and so she did not even understand why her parents always went to farm and but wanted her to go to school. On one occasion, she even went to the extent of asking her parents why she must go to school while they always went to farm.
However, after strenuous efforts, Aminata’s parents, together with members of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), managed to convince her to come to the realisation that it was important for every child to be in school to develop himself or herself.
Consequently, Aminata enrolled in school and her brilliance began to show. She became the toast of the entire school and was loved by both students and teachers. She began to market her village and was more or less the saviour of the school anytime it came to debates and other competitions against schools in neighbouring communities.
A teacher in the school who could not let his eyes off the young brilliant girl proposed to her but, being the intelligent girl that she was, she turned the proposal down. The teacher, who did not take kindly to the young girl’s stand, started intimidating her, both in class and anywhere he found her in the school.
That, along with other forms of threat, brought with it some sort of fear in Aminata who, from then on, could not even ask or answer questions in class as she used to. This affected her performance, to the surprise of many, but she could not confide in anyone, neither did the other school authorities bother to find out from her what was happening to her.
Aminata, for fear of being punished by the teacher, started boycotting classes and eventually dropped out.
This and many of such instances have contributed to the harassment of female students and pupils in the school environment and those who cannot withstand the harassment drop out of school.
For this reason, Plan International, an international NGO, embarked on a research to find out the effects of sexual harassment on many children of school-going age in various communities in other parts of the world.
The Tumu Programme Area Manager of Plan Ghana, Mr Richard Boadu, at a ceremony to launch an initiative known as the “Learning without fear” campaign at Gwollu in the Sissala West District, quoted a World Health Organisation (WHO) report in 2002 which estimated that 150 million girls and 73 million boys under 18 had either been raped or suffered other forms of sexual violence.
Mr Boadu said apart from sexual exploitation of pupils and students, there was also the issue of bullying which, in the long term, led to the development of violent behaviour in schools.
He said victims of bullying, whether physical or verbal, tended to lose their self esteem, feel ashamed and, in the long term, tend to dislike schooling.
On the issue of sexual violence, he noted that victims usually suffered psychological trauma and could be infected with sexually transmitted diseases, in addition to unwanted pregnancies, which could also lead to unsafe abortions, social stigmatisation or the victims being forced to drop out of school.
It turned out that even though corporal punishment was widespread in African schools, it was against the laws in 21 out of the 51 African countries.
He said Plan Ghana, a subsidiary of Plan International, was working closely with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to provide training for teachers and also enforce teachers’ code of ethics as part of efforts to eliminate that canker from schools to make them more attractive to pupils and students, particularly those in remote areas.
“It is time to break the silence on school-based sexual exploitation and the abuse of children to get more and more children to enrol in schools,” Mr Boadu stressed, and explained that more schools in the southern part of the country were familiar with the “Learning without fear” campaign and so Plan Ghana was extending the programme to the northern sector, starting in the Sissala West District.
He said the organisation had also embarked on radio talk-shows to propagate the message and encourage people to take their education seriously.
He also appealed to all, including teachers, parents, the police, among other stakeholders, to support the “Learning without fear” initiative to make schools less intimidating for pupils and students and ensure a violence-free school environment for children.
Launching the initiative, the Sissala West District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Robert Wavei, said the fear of not being protected came with a lot of consequences, including lack of concentration in class, and expressed the hope that the “Learning without fear” campaign would boost the confidence of pupils and students to confront the challenges.
He advised teachers, especially male ones, to always bear in mind that the pupils and students put under their care were to be moulded and not to be molested.
Mr Wavei also reminded teachers that it was not always right to use the cane, since sometimes counselling was the best option.
He also advised students who maltreated their peers to desist from that behaviour.
A committee with representations from the Department of Social Welfare, the GES, Youth Vision, an NGO, the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit of the Police Service (DOVVSU) and some members of the Rights of the Child (ROC) groups of Plan Ghana, was later inaugurated to see to the effective implementation of the “Learning without fear” campaign.
Friday, March 19, 2010
LEARN MORE ABOUT NKRUMAH — CAESAR KALE (PAGE 16, MARCH 19, 2010)
THE Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Caesar Kale, has called on the youth, particularly students, to learn more about Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and his ideals.
This, he said, would rekindle and imbibe in them the spirit of nationalism, patriotism, selflessness, sacrifice and hard work, which Dr Nkrumah stood for.
Addressing students of the Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) as part of a series of lectures marking the centenary anniversary celebration of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Mr Kale regretted that the spirit of volunteerism which Dr Nkrumah championed and ensured it became an embodiment of the Ghanaian youth had died down, and said that the spirit must be revived.
“We have to revive the spirit of volunteerism. We the youth must volunteer to serve Mother Ghana,” he stated.
The lecture was organised by the Kwame Nkrumah Centenary Planning Committee (KNCPC) as part of a series of public lectures earmarked for some tertiary institutions across the country. It was on the theme: “His ideas, his vision, his times, the record”.
Mr Caesar Kale commended the organisers for extending such programmes to the campuses of tertiary institutions, and said if students were regularly involved in such programmes, they would come to appreciate and better understand the political history of the country.
“The youth must be educated to the level where we can stand up to corruption and demand accountability, fairness and justice. We, therefore, need the type of rededication to duty and an avowed intention of seeking what is in the best interests of the country,” Mr Kale stressed.
Speaking on the topic “Education and development; the importance of primary and secondary education- Revisiting Nkrumah’s vision”, the daughter of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro, Miss Samia Yaaba Nkrumah, lamented the education policies of past colonial masters, which she said discriminated against people from the northern part of the country for decades.
This state of affairs, she explained, was not acceptable to Dr Nkrumah who initiated moves to put up more middle schools and secondary schools through his accelerated development programme, which ensured that the northern sector of the country got its share of the Ghana Education Trust for schools.
“Dr Nkrumah insisted that education for the people of the north was made free as a form of compensation to the people for being at the receiving end of the policies of past colonial masters”.
“Today, even though Dr Nkrumah is being criticised and lambasted by a section of the political divide for daring to give free education to the people of the north, we now have lots of intellectuals and professionals from the northern part of the country contributing to various sectors of the country’s economy”. Miss Samia Nkrumah added and said 53 years down the line the vision of Dr Nkrumah is still relevant.
For his part, the Secretary to the KNCPC and General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Mr Bernard Mornah, traced the atrocities meted out to Africans by the western countries during the Transatlantic Slave Trade and attributed the woes of the continent to the trade.
Mr Mornah also praised Dr Nkrumah for his vision and ideas and regretted that Dr Nkrumah did not live to complete his work.
This, he said, would rekindle and imbibe in them the spirit of nationalism, patriotism, selflessness, sacrifice and hard work, which Dr Nkrumah stood for.
Addressing students of the Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) as part of a series of lectures marking the centenary anniversary celebration of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Mr Kale regretted that the spirit of volunteerism which Dr Nkrumah championed and ensured it became an embodiment of the Ghanaian youth had died down, and said that the spirit must be revived.
“We have to revive the spirit of volunteerism. We the youth must volunteer to serve Mother Ghana,” he stated.
The lecture was organised by the Kwame Nkrumah Centenary Planning Committee (KNCPC) as part of a series of public lectures earmarked for some tertiary institutions across the country. It was on the theme: “His ideas, his vision, his times, the record”.
Mr Caesar Kale commended the organisers for extending such programmes to the campuses of tertiary institutions, and said if students were regularly involved in such programmes, they would come to appreciate and better understand the political history of the country.
“The youth must be educated to the level where we can stand up to corruption and demand accountability, fairness and justice. We, therefore, need the type of rededication to duty and an avowed intention of seeking what is in the best interests of the country,” Mr Kale stressed.
Speaking on the topic “Education and development; the importance of primary and secondary education- Revisiting Nkrumah’s vision”, the daughter of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro, Miss Samia Yaaba Nkrumah, lamented the education policies of past colonial masters, which she said discriminated against people from the northern part of the country for decades.
This state of affairs, she explained, was not acceptable to Dr Nkrumah who initiated moves to put up more middle schools and secondary schools through his accelerated development programme, which ensured that the northern sector of the country got its share of the Ghana Education Trust for schools.
“Dr Nkrumah insisted that education for the people of the north was made free as a form of compensation to the people for being at the receiving end of the policies of past colonial masters”.
“Today, even though Dr Nkrumah is being criticised and lambasted by a section of the political divide for daring to give free education to the people of the north, we now have lots of intellectuals and professionals from the northern part of the country contributing to various sectors of the country’s economy”. Miss Samia Nkrumah added and said 53 years down the line the vision of Dr Nkrumah is still relevant.
For his part, the Secretary to the KNCPC and General Secretary of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Mr Bernard Mornah, traced the atrocities meted out to Africans by the western countries during the Transatlantic Slave Trade and attributed the woes of the continent to the trade.
Mr Mornah also praised Dr Nkrumah for his vision and ideas and regretted that Dr Nkrumah did not live to complete his work.
Monday, March 15, 2010
NADOWLI ASSEMBLY INVESTS IN SCHOOL INFRASTURCTURE (PAGE 11, MARCH 15, 2010)
THE Nadowli District Assembly has invested GH¢ 292, 520.60 for the provision of school infrastructure to make teaching and learning more comfortable and attractive in the district.
The projects include the renovation of the Duong Upper Primary and Junior High School, a three-unit classroom block at Konkonpare, and the construction of teachers’ quarters at Issa, junior staff quarters at Jolinyiri and a two-bedroom semi-detached quarters at Kojokperi.
The Nadowli District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Abu Kansangbata, who disclosed this at the 53rd Independence anniversary parade in Nadowli, announced that the Assembly had completed the procurement processes for the construction of five new classroom blocks for five communities in the district.
He said he was poised to make education the bedrock of the development of the district and urged all to support the Assembly in that regard.
Mr Kasangbata expressed appreciation to the various development partners in the district such as the World Vision Ghana, School for Life and the Catholic Relief Service (CRS) for their contributions in diverse ways over the years, which had enhanced the development of the Nadowli District.
He advised students to be disciplined, avoid promiscuous lifestyles and take their studies seriously, pointing out that parents must complement the efforts of the teachers in this regard.
The Nadowli DCE also paid tribute to the founding fathers of the country and stressed the need for the youth to emulate the patroitic spirit of these personalities.
He called on Ghanaians to remain patriotic at all times and rally behind the government to deliver on its electoral promises.
The projects include the renovation of the Duong Upper Primary and Junior High School, a three-unit classroom block at Konkonpare, and the construction of teachers’ quarters at Issa, junior staff quarters at Jolinyiri and a two-bedroom semi-detached quarters at Kojokperi.
The Nadowli District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Abu Kansangbata, who disclosed this at the 53rd Independence anniversary parade in Nadowli, announced that the Assembly had completed the procurement processes for the construction of five new classroom blocks for five communities in the district.
He said he was poised to make education the bedrock of the development of the district and urged all to support the Assembly in that regard.
Mr Kasangbata expressed appreciation to the various development partners in the district such as the World Vision Ghana, School for Life and the Catholic Relief Service (CRS) for their contributions in diverse ways over the years, which had enhanced the development of the Nadowli District.
He advised students to be disciplined, avoid promiscuous lifestyles and take their studies seriously, pointing out that parents must complement the efforts of the teachers in this regard.
The Nadowli DCE also paid tribute to the founding fathers of the country and stressed the need for the youth to emulate the patroitic spirit of these personalities.
He called on Ghanaians to remain patriotic at all times and rally behind the government to deliver on its electoral promises.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
PLAN GHANA SUPPORTS CSM VACCINATION (BACK PAGE, MARCH 10, 2010)
PLAN Ghana, an international child-centred non-governmental organisation (NGO), is supporting the Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) vaccination exercise in the Upper West Region with GH¢20,000.
Part of the amount will be allocated to the various infected communities, while some will be used to intensify education on the disease and help in the mobilisation of other logistical needs.
The Northern Sector Manager of Plan Ghana, Mr Kofi Adade Debrah, who presented the cheque, said GH¢6,000 of the amount would go to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to be used to facilitate and enhance the vaccination exercise.
“We expect the money to go into the development of public service announcements in the various local languages for the respective communities, the organisation of community durbars, sensitisation of identifiable groups to spread the message on CSM, fuel vehicles of the vaccination teams and also for the general cost of logistics in taking vaccination out to the people,” Mr Debrah explained.
He added that Plan Ghana, being a child-centred organisation, had its emphasis on children. Therefore, it expected as many children as possible to be vaccinated during the exercise.
Receiving the cheque, the Upper West Regional Director of the GHS, Dr Alexis Nang Beifubah, expressed appreciation to Plan Ghana for the gesture and gave the assurance that the money would be put to good use.
Part of the amount will be allocated to the various infected communities, while some will be used to intensify education on the disease and help in the mobilisation of other logistical needs.
The Northern Sector Manager of Plan Ghana, Mr Kofi Adade Debrah, who presented the cheque, said GH¢6,000 of the amount would go to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to be used to facilitate and enhance the vaccination exercise.
“We expect the money to go into the development of public service announcements in the various local languages for the respective communities, the organisation of community durbars, sensitisation of identifiable groups to spread the message on CSM, fuel vehicles of the vaccination teams and also for the general cost of logistics in taking vaccination out to the people,” Mr Debrah explained.
He added that Plan Ghana, being a child-centred organisation, had its emphasis on children. Therefore, it expected as many children as possible to be vaccinated during the exercise.
Receiving the cheque, the Upper West Regional Director of the GHS, Dr Alexis Nang Beifubah, expressed appreciation to Plan Ghana for the gesture and gave the assurance that the money would be put to good use.
PLAN GHANA SUPPORTS CSM VACCINATION (BACK PAGE, MARCH 10, 2010)
PLAN Ghana, an international child-centred non-governmental organisation (NGO), is supporting the Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) vaccination exercise in the Upper West Region with GH¢20,000.
Part of the amount will be allocated to the various infected communities, while some will be used to intensify education on the disease and help in the mobilisation of other logistical needs.
The Northern Sector Manager of Plan Ghana, Mr Kofi Adade Debrah, who presented the cheque, said GH¢6,000 of the amount would go to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to be used to facilitate and enhance the vaccination exercise.
“We expect the money to go into the development of public service announcements in the various local languages for the respective communities, the organisation of community durbars, sensitisation of identifiable groups to spread the message on CSM, fuel vehicles of the vaccination teams and also for the general cost of logistics in taking vaccination out to the people,” Mr Debrah explained.
He added that Plan Ghana, being a child-centred organisation, had its emphasis on children. Therefore, it expected as many children as possible to be vaccinated during the exercise.
Receiving the cheque, the Upper West Regional Director of the GHS, Dr Alexis Nang Beifubah, expressed appreciation to Plan Ghana for the gesture and gave the assurance that the money would be put to good use.
Part of the amount will be allocated to the various infected communities, while some will be used to intensify education on the disease and help in the mobilisation of other logistical needs.
The Northern Sector Manager of Plan Ghana, Mr Kofi Adade Debrah, who presented the cheque, said GH¢6,000 of the amount would go to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to be used to facilitate and enhance the vaccination exercise.
“We expect the money to go into the development of public service announcements in the various local languages for the respective communities, the organisation of community durbars, sensitisation of identifiable groups to spread the message on CSM, fuel vehicles of the vaccination teams and also for the general cost of logistics in taking vaccination out to the people,” Mr Debrah explained.
He added that Plan Ghana, being a child-centred organisation, had its emphasis on children. Therefore, it expected as many children as possible to be vaccinated during the exercise.
Receiving the cheque, the Upper West Regional Director of the GHS, Dr Alexis Nang Beifubah, expressed appreciation to Plan Ghana for the gesture and gave the assurance that the money would be put to good use.
Monday, March 8, 2010
DEAF, BLIND STEAL SHOW..At Indece parade in Wa (SPREAD, MARCH 8, 2010)
WITH brisk strides and serious demeanour, pupils from the mentally retarded schools in Wa and other physically challenged schools, including the Wa School for the Deaf and the Wa Methodist School for the Blind, stole the show at this year’s Independence Day parade held at the Naa Sidiki Bomi II Park in Wa, the Upper West regional capital.
The pupils who were part of the 43 contigents, comprising 1,226 students and pupils selected from first and second cycle educational instutions in the municipality, were the toast of the audience who cheered and applauded them.
The parade, which for the first time was without contigents from the security agencies, was supposed to have started at 6:30a.m. in order to avoid the scorching sun, started at 7:00a.m., by which time the park was already filled to capacity.
The impressive ceremony was witnessed by a 15-member delegation from the South-west Region of Burkina Faso led by the Governor, Colonel Sawudogo Pascal, who lauded the existing relations between the two countries and stressed the need for more co-operation, especially in the area of security.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, reviewed the parade with the Regional Director of Education, Mr Fabian Belieb.
In an address, Mr Khalid urged the people of the region to eschew all forms of conflicts and divisiveness, and noted that if the region needed to fight any enemy, then that enemy must be poverty rather than conflicts.
He advised students to stay away from drugs and bad company and rather concentrate more on their studies.
The regional minister also paid tribute to Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and others who struggled with him to attain independence for Ghana and called for the support of all Ghanaians in the quest to make the “Better Ghana” agenda of the government a reality.
Awards were later presented to some institutions and personalities.
From Kumasi, George Ernest Asare, reports that 42 contingents, made up of six cadet corps from Kumasi High, Yaa Asantewaa Girls, Kumasi Secondary Technology, KNUST Senior High School, Kumasi Girls and Opoku Ware School, as well as some second cycle and basic schools, participated in the 53rd Independence Day anniversary parade held at the Jubilee Park
The parade, at which the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, was the reviewing officer, was attended my many dignitaries, including the Bantamahene, Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwatia, who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Other dignitaries who attended the anniversary parade which started at about 9.00a.m. after the arrival of the minister, were the acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Northern Sector, Colonel Anthony K. Asare, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Patrick Timbilla, the Regional Fire Officer, ACFO Mr P.A. Mensah, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Sarpong , the clergy, leadership of the Muslim community and a cross-section of the public.
The youth filled the stands of the Jubilee Park in their numbers to witness the parade, which was commanded by George Osei Amoabeng.
Yaa Asantewaa Senior High School cadet was adjudged the best among all other cadet corps, receiving a magnificent trophy from Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, the Regional Minister.
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Senior High cadet and Kumasi High cadet were adjudged the second and third best cadets respectively for the quick march past, and they received a plaque each for their achievements.
In the second cycle category, the Serwaa Nyarko Senior High School took the first position in the quick march past, and for their prize, they were presented with a giant trophy.
The National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) and the Kumasi Academy Senior High came second and third respectively in that category, and each was presented with a plaque.
In the basic schools category, Oforikrom Sub Metro, led by Weweso Junior High School, was adjudged the best in the quick march past and took away a trophy for their prize.
The second position went to Kwadaso Sub Metro, led by Prempeh Junior High, with Asokwa Sub Metro, led by T.I. Ahmadiyya Junior High taking the third position .
The Best Environmental Friendly Basic School trophy went to Odumase Experimental, with Danyame M/A at Nhyiaso, taking the second position. Cambridge International was adjudged the third best in that category.
In an address, Mr Opoku Manu reminded parents of their responsibility towards their children, saying, “You must ensure that your children are not allowed to be carried away by the trappings of society and other anti-social activities that seem to be on the ascendancy,” he advised.
“Children are the only properties we have and we must ensure that they are brought up in a manner that will help them grow up as good and patriotic citizens,” he added.
He reminded the youth of concentrating on their books and avoiding behaviours that would prevent them from achieving their aspirations in life.
He said it was equally important for the youth to be circumspect in their utterances. “The constitution certainly allows freedom of speech. This, however, should not give licence to our young men and women to unduly make unguided statements that may cast a slur on the integrity of other highly-placed persons in society,” he cautioned.
Nurudeen Salifu reports, from Tamale that primary, junior high schools and second-cycle schools took part in the march past at the Jubilee Park to mark Ghana’s 53rd Anniversary celebrations.
The Red Cross, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, Caring Kids International (OneforHaiti project) and other voluntary organisations also took part in the march.
There were also traditional performances, poetry recitals, acrobatic displays and speeches from schoolchildren and dance performances by dancers from the Centre for National Culture.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, who inspected the parade, noted that, in line with “Investing in the Youth for a Better Ghana”, the government had commenced the Free School Uniform and Exercise Books schemes.
He revealed that the region had taken receipt of 2,692,569 school uniforms and 73,378 exercise books to be distributed to children in the region through the metropolitan, municipal and district education units.
Mr Mabengba entreated children and the youth of the region to stay away from acts that would expose them to sexually transmitted diseases.
He said the 2008 HIV Report had indicated that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the region had fallen from 3.8 to 3.0 per cent, and thus encouraged the youth to continue to eschew immoral behaviour.
From Bolgatanga, Benjamin Xornam Glover reports that 72 contingents, comprising 2,160 schoolchildren selected from first and second cycle schools and a cadet corps from the Bolgatanga Technical Institute took part in the 53rd independence celebration parade at the St. Johns Park in Bolgatanga last Saturday.
The parade, which was under the command of Godfred Amagnyona, Bolgatanga Technical Institute cadet, had the Ghana Police Band providing music for the quick march past.
The Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo, assisted by the acting Regional Director of Education and the Regional Police Commander, ACP Mr Bright Oduro took the salute.
Mr Woyongo, in his anniversary address, noted that poverty had continued to be the number one enemy of the people, and said that had been exacerbated by violence, ethnic and land conflicts in some parts of the region.
He, therefore, called on the chiefs and opinion leaders as well as well-meaning citizens to support his administration to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the region.
The acting Regional Director of Education, Mrs Agnes Atagabe, while commending the government for fulfilling some of its campaign promises, also appealed to teachers in the region to continue to offer their best and put smiles on the faces of children as well as stakeholders of education by improving contact hours and teaching learning outcomes at all levels.
A 21-member delegation from the neighbouring Central South Region in Burkina Faso, led by the Secretary General, Mr Issah Campoare, graced the occasion.
In a related development, schools in the Bolgatanga West B Circuit who for a very long time have not had the opportunity to participate in the regional event, organised their own independence celebration parade at Sumbrungu, seven miles away from Bolgatanga.
The event, which was held a day prior to the national celebration, saw 10 schools participating in the parade.
The Circuit Supervisor, Mr Timothy Allou, who said the event would be an annual one, explained that it would enable the children in the circuit to feel being part and parcel of the national celebration, urging the municipal assembly to support the organisation of the parade for the children.
Twenty-five schools drawn from basic and secondary schools in the Ho Municipality converged at the Jubilee Park to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of Ghana’s independence, reports Victor Kwawukume.
All those who took part in the parade, numbering about 2,000, marched in a parade which was reviewed by the Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Amenowode, and accompanied by the Regional Director of Education, Mr Gabriel Kploanyi, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Volta Region, Mr David Ampah-Bennin.
In the end, awards and certificates were given in separate categories with OLA Girls Senior High School coming first in the cadet category, Mawuli Secondary School came first in the Senior High School category, Dora Memorial Junior High came first in the Junior High category, while Kabore Primary came first in the primary category.
There was a colourful display of national colours and an indigenous display of the culture of the region, coupled with melodious tunes from groups of the Volta Regional Centre for National Culture.
The regional minister, in his address, said the theme for the celebration, “Investing in the Youth”, should propel the youth to be focused and be guided to shun all acts and activities that would deny them the glory that comes with hard work, determination and diligence.
He also affirmed the government’s commitment to policies on education which had become evident in the increase in Capitation Grant, provision of free exercise books and the enhancement of the School Feeding Programme.
Mr Amenowode also advised students, teachers and parents to keep abreast of government’s policies and programmes for them to be aware of the various steps that the government was taking to make the ‘Better Ghana Agenda’ a reality.
The pupils who were part of the 43 contigents, comprising 1,226 students and pupils selected from first and second cycle educational instutions in the municipality, were the toast of the audience who cheered and applauded them.
The parade, which for the first time was without contigents from the security agencies, was supposed to have started at 6:30a.m. in order to avoid the scorching sun, started at 7:00a.m., by which time the park was already filled to capacity.
The impressive ceremony was witnessed by a 15-member delegation from the South-west Region of Burkina Faso led by the Governor, Colonel Sawudogo Pascal, who lauded the existing relations between the two countries and stressed the need for more co-operation, especially in the area of security.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, reviewed the parade with the Regional Director of Education, Mr Fabian Belieb.
In an address, Mr Khalid urged the people of the region to eschew all forms of conflicts and divisiveness, and noted that if the region needed to fight any enemy, then that enemy must be poverty rather than conflicts.
He advised students to stay away from drugs and bad company and rather concentrate more on their studies.
The regional minister also paid tribute to Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and others who struggled with him to attain independence for Ghana and called for the support of all Ghanaians in the quest to make the “Better Ghana” agenda of the government a reality.
Awards were later presented to some institutions and personalities.
From Kumasi, George Ernest Asare, reports that 42 contingents, made up of six cadet corps from Kumasi High, Yaa Asantewaa Girls, Kumasi Secondary Technology, KNUST Senior High School, Kumasi Girls and Opoku Ware School, as well as some second cycle and basic schools, participated in the 53rd Independence Day anniversary parade held at the Jubilee Park
The parade, at which the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, was the reviewing officer, was attended my many dignitaries, including the Bantamahene, Baffour Asare Owusu Amankwatia, who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Other dignitaries who attended the anniversary parade which started at about 9.00a.m. after the arrival of the minister, were the acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Northern Sector, Colonel Anthony K. Asare, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Patrick Timbilla, the Regional Fire Officer, ACFO Mr P.A. Mensah, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Samuel Sarpong , the clergy, leadership of the Muslim community and a cross-section of the public.
The youth filled the stands of the Jubilee Park in their numbers to witness the parade, which was commanded by George Osei Amoabeng.
Yaa Asantewaa Senior High School cadet was adjudged the best among all other cadet corps, receiving a magnificent trophy from Mr Kofi Opoku Manu, the Regional Minister.
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Senior High cadet and Kumasi High cadet were adjudged the second and third best cadets respectively for the quick march past, and they received a plaque each for their achievements.
In the second cycle category, the Serwaa Nyarko Senior High School took the first position in the quick march past, and for their prize, they were presented with a giant trophy.
The National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) and the Kumasi Academy Senior High came second and third respectively in that category, and each was presented with a plaque.
In the basic schools category, Oforikrom Sub Metro, led by Weweso Junior High School, was adjudged the best in the quick march past and took away a trophy for their prize.
The second position went to Kwadaso Sub Metro, led by Prempeh Junior High, with Asokwa Sub Metro, led by T.I. Ahmadiyya Junior High taking the third position .
The Best Environmental Friendly Basic School trophy went to Odumase Experimental, with Danyame M/A at Nhyiaso, taking the second position. Cambridge International was adjudged the third best in that category.
In an address, Mr Opoku Manu reminded parents of their responsibility towards their children, saying, “You must ensure that your children are not allowed to be carried away by the trappings of society and other anti-social activities that seem to be on the ascendancy,” he advised.
“Children are the only properties we have and we must ensure that they are brought up in a manner that will help them grow up as good and patriotic citizens,” he added.
He reminded the youth of concentrating on their books and avoiding behaviours that would prevent them from achieving their aspirations in life.
He said it was equally important for the youth to be circumspect in their utterances. “The constitution certainly allows freedom of speech. This, however, should not give licence to our young men and women to unduly make unguided statements that may cast a slur on the integrity of other highly-placed persons in society,” he cautioned.
Nurudeen Salifu reports, from Tamale that primary, junior high schools and second-cycle schools took part in the march past at the Jubilee Park to mark Ghana’s 53rd Anniversary celebrations.
The Red Cross, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, Caring Kids International (OneforHaiti project) and other voluntary organisations also took part in the march.
There were also traditional performances, poetry recitals, acrobatic displays and speeches from schoolchildren and dance performances by dancers from the Centre for National Culture.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, who inspected the parade, noted that, in line with “Investing in the Youth for a Better Ghana”, the government had commenced the Free School Uniform and Exercise Books schemes.
He revealed that the region had taken receipt of 2,692,569 school uniforms and 73,378 exercise books to be distributed to children in the region through the metropolitan, municipal and district education units.
Mr Mabengba entreated children and the youth of the region to stay away from acts that would expose them to sexually transmitted diseases.
He said the 2008 HIV Report had indicated that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the region had fallen from 3.8 to 3.0 per cent, and thus encouraged the youth to continue to eschew immoral behaviour.
From Bolgatanga, Benjamin Xornam Glover reports that 72 contingents, comprising 2,160 schoolchildren selected from first and second cycle schools and a cadet corps from the Bolgatanga Technical Institute took part in the 53rd independence celebration parade at the St. Johns Park in Bolgatanga last Saturday.
The parade, which was under the command of Godfred Amagnyona, Bolgatanga Technical Institute cadet, had the Ghana Police Band providing music for the quick march past.
The Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo, assisted by the acting Regional Director of Education and the Regional Police Commander, ACP Mr Bright Oduro took the salute.
Mr Woyongo, in his anniversary address, noted that poverty had continued to be the number one enemy of the people, and said that had been exacerbated by violence, ethnic and land conflicts in some parts of the region.
He, therefore, called on the chiefs and opinion leaders as well as well-meaning citizens to support his administration to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the region.
The acting Regional Director of Education, Mrs Agnes Atagabe, while commending the government for fulfilling some of its campaign promises, also appealed to teachers in the region to continue to offer their best and put smiles on the faces of children as well as stakeholders of education by improving contact hours and teaching learning outcomes at all levels.
A 21-member delegation from the neighbouring Central South Region in Burkina Faso, led by the Secretary General, Mr Issah Campoare, graced the occasion.
In a related development, schools in the Bolgatanga West B Circuit who for a very long time have not had the opportunity to participate in the regional event, organised their own independence celebration parade at Sumbrungu, seven miles away from Bolgatanga.
The event, which was held a day prior to the national celebration, saw 10 schools participating in the parade.
The Circuit Supervisor, Mr Timothy Allou, who said the event would be an annual one, explained that it would enable the children in the circuit to feel being part and parcel of the national celebration, urging the municipal assembly to support the organisation of the parade for the children.
Twenty-five schools drawn from basic and secondary schools in the Ho Municipality converged at the Jubilee Park to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of Ghana’s independence, reports Victor Kwawukume.
All those who took part in the parade, numbering about 2,000, marched in a parade which was reviewed by the Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Amenowode, and accompanied by the Regional Director of Education, Mr Gabriel Kploanyi, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Volta Region, Mr David Ampah-Bennin.
In the end, awards and certificates were given in separate categories with OLA Girls Senior High School coming first in the cadet category, Mawuli Secondary School came first in the Senior High School category, Dora Memorial Junior High came first in the Junior High category, while Kabore Primary came first in the primary category.
There was a colourful display of national colours and an indigenous display of the culture of the region, coupled with melodious tunes from groups of the Volta Regional Centre for National Culture.
The regional minister, in his address, said the theme for the celebration, “Investing in the Youth”, should propel the youth to be focused and be guided to shun all acts and activities that would deny them the glory that comes with hard work, determination and diligence.
He also affirmed the government’s commitment to policies on education which had become evident in the increase in Capitation Grant, provision of free exercise books and the enhancement of the School Feeding Programme.
Mr Amenowode also advised students, teachers and parents to keep abreast of government’s policies and programmes for them to be aware of the various steps that the government was taking to make the ‘Better Ghana Agenda’ a reality.
2 UDS STUDENTS DROWN (PAGE 3, MARCH 8, 2010)
TWO students of the Wa Campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Mohammed Mustapha Bunbaaz and Lawrence Afriyie, Level 100 diploma and degree students respectively, have drowned in a swimming pool at the Mole Motel at the Mole National Park in the Northern Region.
The two were part of a contingent of students who travelled to the park to have fun as part of their Independence Day celebrations.
A student of the university told the Daily Graphic on their return to Wa that the two were found unconscious in the pool when they (the students) were about to leave the park and return to Wa but they were declared dead after they had been rushed to the Damongo Hospital.
The eyewitness said when the students embarked on the journey and got to the park at about 1 p.m. on Saturday, they decided to eat their food first till about 3 p.m. when they were informed by the guides at the park that it was time for them to go for a walk round the park.
He said by then, many of the students and other visitors were swimming in a pool at the Mole Motel.
The witness said when the students were told about the safari walk, some of them decided to go with the guards, while others, including the deceased, continued swimming.
He said just as they were about to leave the park after the walk and all the excitement and return to their campus in Wa, some students raised alarm that there was somebody in the pool.
He said when they rushed back to the pool side, they found one of the deceased students unconscious in the pool so they pulled him out and with the help of some foreign tourists tried to resuscitate him. The informant added that they managed to get an ambulance from the Damongo Hospital to convey the victim to the hospital.
When they thought they could leave the place, the eyewitness said, some students again prompted their colleagues that there still was another body beneath the water.
He said when they rushed back to the pool side, the second alarm turned out to be true when another unconscious student was brought out of the swimming pool.
He said he was also rushed to the hospital in a taxi but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The two were part of a contingent of students who travelled to the park to have fun as part of their Independence Day celebrations.
A student of the university told the Daily Graphic on their return to Wa that the two were found unconscious in the pool when they (the students) were about to leave the park and return to Wa but they were declared dead after they had been rushed to the Damongo Hospital.
The eyewitness said when the students embarked on the journey and got to the park at about 1 p.m. on Saturday, they decided to eat their food first till about 3 p.m. when they were informed by the guides at the park that it was time for them to go for a walk round the park.
He said by then, many of the students and other visitors were swimming in a pool at the Mole Motel.
The witness said when the students were told about the safari walk, some of them decided to go with the guards, while others, including the deceased, continued swimming.
He said just as they were about to leave the park after the walk and all the excitement and return to their campus in Wa, some students raised alarm that there was somebody in the pool.
He said when they rushed back to the pool side, they found one of the deceased students unconscious in the pool so they pulled him out and with the help of some foreign tourists tried to resuscitate him. The informant added that they managed to get an ambulance from the Damongo Hospital to convey the victim to the hospital.
When they thought they could leave the place, the eyewitness said, some students again prompted their colleagues that there still was another body beneath the water.
He said when they rushed back to the pool side, the second alarm turned out to be true when another unconscious student was brought out of the swimming pool.
He said he was also rushed to the hospital in a taxi but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
U/W TAKES DELIVERY OF CSM VACCINES (BACK PAGE, MARCH 5, 2010)
THE Upper West Region, which recorded the first outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) this year, has finally received its share of the W135 vaccine from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to counter the W135 strain of the disease.
A team of personnel from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ghana Health Service (GHS), led by the Deputy National NADMO Co-ordinator, Mr Prud K. Abonie, presented the vaccine to the Upper West Regional Minister at a brief ceremony at the Wa airstrip.
Receiving the vaccine, as well as vaccination health cards and syringes, the Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, expressed appreciation to the government and the WHO for the rapid response to the plight of the people of the region.
He was hopeful that the vaccine would help mitigate the spread of the disease, especially in the Jirapa area, which he described as a CSM zone.
Mr Khalid advised the people not to panic but remain calm, since CSM was not a new disease in the area.
For his part, the Upper West Regional Director of Health, Dr Alexis Nang Beifubah, was happy that the vaccine had arrived.
He indicated that the vaccine would reach wherever it was needed but cautioned that it would be irresponsible and unwise on the part of people to be moving from one district to another for them to be vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the trend of the spread of the CSM in the region has started declining.
In the Jirapa District, which was declared an epidemic zone, for instance, the number of cases which rose to about 30 in the seventh week of the outbreak has fallen to 10 as of yesterday, while Lambussie, Sissala East, West, as well as Wa East, have the least number of cases recorded.
Cases in the Wa municipality have stabilised, with those in the Nadowli District falling from four to zero.
A team of personnel from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Ghana Health Service (GHS), led by the Deputy National NADMO Co-ordinator, Mr Prud K. Abonie, presented the vaccine to the Upper West Regional Minister at a brief ceremony at the Wa airstrip.
Receiving the vaccine, as well as vaccination health cards and syringes, the Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, expressed appreciation to the government and the WHO for the rapid response to the plight of the people of the region.
He was hopeful that the vaccine would help mitigate the spread of the disease, especially in the Jirapa area, which he described as a CSM zone.
Mr Khalid advised the people not to panic but remain calm, since CSM was not a new disease in the area.
For his part, the Upper West Regional Director of Health, Dr Alexis Nang Beifubah, was happy that the vaccine had arrived.
He indicated that the vaccine would reach wherever it was needed but cautioned that it would be irresponsible and unwise on the part of people to be moving from one district to another for them to be vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the trend of the spread of the CSM in the region has started declining.
In the Jirapa District, which was declared an epidemic zone, for instance, the number of cases which rose to about 30 in the seventh week of the outbreak has fallen to 10 as of yesterday, while Lambussie, Sissala East, West, as well as Wa East, have the least number of cases recorded.
Cases in the Wa municipality have stabilised, with those in the Nadowli District falling from four to zero.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
MARCIA GRABS UDS BEAUTY CROWN (SHOWBIZ, PAGE 22, FEB 25, 2010)
By Chris Nunoo
WHEN Marcia Awuya, 19, of the Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) strutted her stuff on the catwalk, exhibited her eloquence as well as a brilliant performance for her talent hunt, last Saturday, there was no doubt she could win the unversity’s beauty pageant.
And win she did.The level 100 Integrated Community Development (ICD) student, thrilled the impressive crowd which thronged the auditorium of the university at Bamahu, as well as the judges to pick the ultimate crown.
Marcia was followed by a level 100 Integrated Development Studies (IDS) student, Miss Eunice Sellasie Lanyo, 20, while Miss Ida Aweya, 20, a level 100 Planning student came third.
They received a table top fridge, a 14 inch television set; and a rice cooker and blender respectively as their prizes. They would also receive tigo phones from Millicom Ghana Limited.
The pageant which climaxed the Wa campus week celebration saw 11 beauties from the various faculties competing for the crown. The night began with a well rehearsed choreographed dance which was received with loud cheers from the packed audience.
All contestants exhibited what they had up their sleeves. One interesting segment was the talent hunt show where Marcia’s message on pre-marital sex and its aftermath was thought provoking. Another student, Miss Eunice Sellasie Lanyo whose message on rape and drug abuse was very spectacular.
After a keenly contested first session, the judges then selected the top five contestants to answer two special questions on the challenges facing the Wa campus of the university.
There were music performances from Bradez and Quata who spiced up the evening with their songs which intermittently got many people, particularly the ladies on their feet.
This year’s event was a deviation from previous ones on the school’s calendar. The “Faculty of Integrated Development Studies (FIDS) Week” was changed to “Campus Week” because of the emergence of other faculties at the Wa campus of the university.
The week-long celebrations started on Monday, February 8, 2010, with a series of activities including an excursion to the Wechiau hippo sanctuary, donations and clean up campaigns as well as a float through the principal streets of Wa.
There was also a well attended old school reunion session at the Wa Jubilee Park featuring schools such as St Augustine’s College, Kumasi High School and Accra Girls’ Senior High Schools, among others.
WHEN Marcia Awuya, 19, of the Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) strutted her stuff on the catwalk, exhibited her eloquence as well as a brilliant performance for her talent hunt, last Saturday, there was no doubt she could win the unversity’s beauty pageant.
And win she did.The level 100 Integrated Community Development (ICD) student, thrilled the impressive crowd which thronged the auditorium of the university at Bamahu, as well as the judges to pick the ultimate crown.
Marcia was followed by a level 100 Integrated Development Studies (IDS) student, Miss Eunice Sellasie Lanyo, 20, while Miss Ida Aweya, 20, a level 100 Planning student came third.
They received a table top fridge, a 14 inch television set; and a rice cooker and blender respectively as their prizes. They would also receive tigo phones from Millicom Ghana Limited.
The pageant which climaxed the Wa campus week celebration saw 11 beauties from the various faculties competing for the crown. The night began with a well rehearsed choreographed dance which was received with loud cheers from the packed audience.
All contestants exhibited what they had up their sleeves. One interesting segment was the talent hunt show where Marcia’s message on pre-marital sex and its aftermath was thought provoking. Another student, Miss Eunice Sellasie Lanyo whose message on rape and drug abuse was very spectacular.
After a keenly contested first session, the judges then selected the top five contestants to answer two special questions on the challenges facing the Wa campus of the university.
There were music performances from Bradez and Quata who spiced up the evening with their songs which intermittently got many people, particularly the ladies on their feet.
This year’s event was a deviation from previous ones on the school’s calendar. The “Faculty of Integrated Development Studies (FIDS) Week” was changed to “Campus Week” because of the emergence of other faculties at the Wa campus of the university.
The week-long celebrations started on Monday, February 8, 2010, with a series of activities including an excursion to the Wechiau hippo sanctuary, donations and clean up campaigns as well as a float through the principal streets of Wa.
There was also a well attended old school reunion session at the Wa Jubilee Park featuring schools such as St Augustine’s College, Kumasi High School and Accra Girls’ Senior High Schools, among others.
DJ PHILA ADDS PIZZAZ TO WA AIRWAYS (SHOWBIZ, PAGE 23, JAN 14, 2010)
By Chris Nunoo
Perhaps, the Upper West region cannot boast of the best radio stations, disc jockeys or presenters as pertained in other parts of the country particularly in Accra, however, one person who was able to take radio in the region to another level in terms of music selection was Erasmus Kwasi Asare aka DJ Tee Jay or the Music Ambassador.
DJ Tee Jay set very high standards by playing quality music as well as hitting listeners of Radio Upper West with fresh tracks as soon as they were released. It was therefore a big disappointment for residents and the radio fraternity in Wa when he unceremoniously left the scene.
Then came Isaac Kwaku Afriyie a final year Development Communications student of the Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) who as a stop gap for DJ Tee Jay, was given the opportunity as a guest presenter on Radio Upper West.
Since stepping in the big shoes of D.J Tee Jay, Isaac, also known as DJ Kwaku Phila has been able to hold the fort very well. Presently, he is in charge of the Holy Ghost Party which he handles with ease. His exceptional selection of gospel songs is just great. He also hosts the Midweek Morning Show on Wednesdays.
It seems anytime DJ Kwaku Phila is behind the console, the whole of Wa have their dials locked on to 90.1 Radio Upper West.
Speaking to Graphic Showbiz, DJ Phila said he started his radio career in Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo regional capital at Parrot FM until he moved to Wa for his university education in 2006. On campus, he joined the trail of DJs at the university’s radio station, Radio FIDS until he was poached to Radio Upper West in 2008 as a guest presenter.
He expressed appreciation to Rev Owusu Cobbina, the General Overseer of the Temple of Praise Ministries, Sunyani and Mr George Nii Lartey formally of Parrot FM for introducing him to the radio business.
DJ Phila is single and loves listening to music and playing football. He said fufu and light soup used to be his favourite but after switching camp from Sunyani to Wa, he is more into kapala, a local yam fufu meal and any type of soup.
Perhaps, the Upper West region cannot boast of the best radio stations, disc jockeys or presenters as pertained in other parts of the country particularly in Accra, however, one person who was able to take radio in the region to another level in terms of music selection was Erasmus Kwasi Asare aka DJ Tee Jay or the Music Ambassador.
DJ Tee Jay set very high standards by playing quality music as well as hitting listeners of Radio Upper West with fresh tracks as soon as they were released. It was therefore a big disappointment for residents and the radio fraternity in Wa when he unceremoniously left the scene.
Then came Isaac Kwaku Afriyie a final year Development Communications student of the Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) who as a stop gap for DJ Tee Jay, was given the opportunity as a guest presenter on Radio Upper West.
Since stepping in the big shoes of D.J Tee Jay, Isaac, also known as DJ Kwaku Phila has been able to hold the fort very well. Presently, he is in charge of the Holy Ghost Party which he handles with ease. His exceptional selection of gospel songs is just great. He also hosts the Midweek Morning Show on Wednesdays.
It seems anytime DJ Kwaku Phila is behind the console, the whole of Wa have their dials locked on to 90.1 Radio Upper West.
Speaking to Graphic Showbiz, DJ Phila said he started his radio career in Sunyani, the Brong Ahafo regional capital at Parrot FM until he moved to Wa for his university education in 2006. On campus, he joined the trail of DJs at the university’s radio station, Radio FIDS until he was poached to Radio Upper West in 2008 as a guest presenter.
He expressed appreciation to Rev Owusu Cobbina, the General Overseer of the Temple of Praise Ministries, Sunyani and Mr George Nii Lartey formally of Parrot FM for introducing him to the radio business.
DJ Phila is single and loves listening to music and playing football. He said fufu and light soup used to be his favourite but after switching camp from Sunyani to Wa, he is more into kapala, a local yam fufu meal and any type of soup.
NAME WA STADIUM AFTER MALIK JABIR (GRAPHIC SPORTS, FEB 26, 2010, PAGE 11)
THE Upper West Regional Football Association (RFA) has proposed that the Wa Sports Stadium be named after Malik Jabir.
The decision, according to the RFA chairman Alhaji Sadugu Yahaya, is to follow the example of similar honours that have been bestowed on others and also show recognition to all that Mr Jabir who is a true son of the area, had done over the years towards the development and growth of football in the region and the country at large.
To this end, Alhaji Yahaya said, the RFA intends to organize a special football match between Kumasi Asante Kotoko, where Mr Jabir had his football career as a player and a coach and Wa All Stars at the end of the season to formally honour him.
He said the region has produced two great footballers in the persons of Coach Jabir and Baba Yara who hailed from Zini in the Sissala West District, adding that the former has already been honoured by naming the Kumasi stadium after him.
Malik Jabir who is presently a coach and a football administrator was born in December 1946.
Apart from the City and Guilds of London, Institute Intermediate certificate in electronics which he received in1968, the whole life of Coach Jabir has been football.
He joined Kumasi Asante Kotoko in 1964 and remained a regular player of the Porcupine Warriors until 1977. During that period he played seven African Champion’s League editions and won the cup in 1971. He also captained the team for close to five years.
Coach Malik as he is affectionately called, was very key in the 1968 African Cup of Nations in Sudan in 1970 and also played for the Ghana national team in the 1968 Olympic Games held in Mexico. He was a member and captain of the national academicals between 1966 and 1969. He played for an African select side in Brazil and in Mexico in 1972 and 1973 respectively.
Mr Jabir did not only play for his idol club Kumasi Asante Kotoko but handled the team and groomed a lot of youth talents. He was the coach of Asante Kotoko from 1981 to 89.
Coach Jabir also had a stint with Arsenal FC of the English Premiership. He also completed a coaching course at Lilishall Sports Center in London.
Coach Jabir has also handled teams like Etalon, the national team of Burkina Faso, ASFA Yenenga also in Burkina Faso as well as a technical advisor to Kano Pillars of Nigeria.
He has won a number of awards including being voted the best coach in Burkina Faso in 1990.
The decision, according to the RFA chairman Alhaji Sadugu Yahaya, is to follow the example of similar honours that have been bestowed on others and also show recognition to all that Mr Jabir who is a true son of the area, had done over the years towards the development and growth of football in the region and the country at large.
To this end, Alhaji Yahaya said, the RFA intends to organize a special football match between Kumasi Asante Kotoko, where Mr Jabir had his football career as a player and a coach and Wa All Stars at the end of the season to formally honour him.
He said the region has produced two great footballers in the persons of Coach Jabir and Baba Yara who hailed from Zini in the Sissala West District, adding that the former has already been honoured by naming the Kumasi stadium after him.
Malik Jabir who is presently a coach and a football administrator was born in December 1946.
Apart from the City and Guilds of London, Institute Intermediate certificate in electronics which he received in1968, the whole life of Coach Jabir has been football.
He joined Kumasi Asante Kotoko in 1964 and remained a regular player of the Porcupine Warriors until 1977. During that period he played seven African Champion’s League editions and won the cup in 1971. He also captained the team for close to five years.
Coach Malik as he is affectionately called, was very key in the 1968 African Cup of Nations in Sudan in 1970 and also played for the Ghana national team in the 1968 Olympic Games held in Mexico. He was a member and captain of the national academicals between 1966 and 1969. He played for an African select side in Brazil and in Mexico in 1972 and 1973 respectively.
Mr Jabir did not only play for his idol club Kumasi Asante Kotoko but handled the team and groomed a lot of youth talents. He was the coach of Asante Kotoko from 1981 to 89.
Coach Jabir also had a stint with Arsenal FC of the English Premiership. He also completed a coaching course at Lilishall Sports Center in London.
Coach Jabir has also handled teams like Etalon, the national team of Burkina Faso, ASFA Yenenga also in Burkina Faso as well as a technical advisor to Kano Pillars of Nigeria.
He has won a number of awards including being voted the best coach in Burkina Faso in 1990.
FA PRESIDENT PRESENTS TO JUVENILE CLUBS (PAGE 11, GRAPHIC SPORTS, JAN 8, 2010)
THE President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi, has presented 24 sets of jerseys and 51 footballs worth GH¢ 3, 500 to 24 juvenile football clubs in the Upper West region.
They include 17 teams in the Wa municipality and seven from other parts of the region.
A representative of Mr. Nyantakyi, Mr. Abdul Rahman Yunusah, who presented the items on behalf of the GFA president, said the development of juvenile football was dear to the heart of Mr. Nyantakyi because it was the only way they could groom talents to feed the only premier club, Wa All Stars.
He advised supporters of the club who trooped to the Wa stadium to watch football matches to avoid violence since that could be a drawback to the progress of the club in the premier league.
Mr. Yunusah also stressed the importance of education in modern day football and advised up and coming footballers to take their education serious.
He called on supporters of Wa All Stars to have confidence in Mr. Nyantakyi and his administration both at the FA and the club level and said they were there to contribute their quota towards the development of football in the country.
The Chairman of the Regional Juvenile Football, Mr Kassim Abubakar, expressed appreciation to Mr Nyantakyi for the gesture and said they would continue to support him in his quest to develop football in the Upper West region and the country at large.
Mr. Abubakar further appealed to other philanthropic individuals and organizations to emulate the example of Mr Nyantakyi and make similar donations to clubs in the region.
Picture: Mr Yunusah (3rd right) presenting the items to Alhaji Yahaya Sadugu, the Chairman of the Regional Football Association (2nd left) while the Chairman of the Regional Juvenile Football, Mr Kassim Abubakar (extreme left) and others look on.
They include 17 teams in the Wa municipality and seven from other parts of the region.
A representative of Mr. Nyantakyi, Mr. Abdul Rahman Yunusah, who presented the items on behalf of the GFA president, said the development of juvenile football was dear to the heart of Mr. Nyantakyi because it was the only way they could groom talents to feed the only premier club, Wa All Stars.
He advised supporters of the club who trooped to the Wa stadium to watch football matches to avoid violence since that could be a drawback to the progress of the club in the premier league.
Mr. Yunusah also stressed the importance of education in modern day football and advised up and coming footballers to take their education serious.
He called on supporters of Wa All Stars to have confidence in Mr. Nyantakyi and his administration both at the FA and the club level and said they were there to contribute their quota towards the development of football in the country.
The Chairman of the Regional Juvenile Football, Mr Kassim Abubakar, expressed appreciation to Mr Nyantakyi for the gesture and said they would continue to support him in his quest to develop football in the Upper West region and the country at large.
Mr. Abubakar further appealed to other philanthropic individuals and organizations to emulate the example of Mr Nyantakyi and make similar donations to clubs in the region.
Picture: Mr Yunusah (3rd right) presenting the items to Alhaji Yahaya Sadugu, the Chairman of the Regional Football Association (2nd left) while the Chairman of the Regional Juvenile Football, Mr Kassim Abubakar (extreme left) and others look on.
MUST WE PAY HIGHER TARIFFS FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES...Views from Wa (PAGE 31, MIRROR, FEB 27, 27, 2010)
Warikima Mohammed,
Secretary
The way and manner in which tarrifs are increased in this country could lead to a situation where one day we would wake up to the news that many people have decided not to use pipe borne water or electricity anymore.
This is because people are gradually becoming fed up with this situation, more so when it does not come with any significant improvement in the services being rendered.
If you take the Upper West Region for instance, already many residents are struggling to make ends meet, not to talk even of those in the rural areas. If the proposed tariff increases is implemented, it will mean that some people will be denied access to electricity and potable water due to their inability to pay.
Under the circumstances, they would turn to other sources for water which could be unwholesome, and thus we may have a big problem on our hands as water borne diseases which we have fought over years to eradicate may rear their ugly heads once again.
When tariffs would have to be increased at all cost, then that must be done in line with a general increase in salaries so that the demand to increase utility tariffs would be mitigated by increase in salaries to enable people pay for utility services.
I think I that the utility companies should not think of increasing tariffs especially at this crucial period when the economy seem to be very stagnant and nothing seems to be moving the way it was expected.
Madam Mariga Musah,
Teacher
I do not really have a problem with increases in utility tariffs provided they come with the expected quality service that we all require.
Unfortunately, I have a problem when we pay huge tariffs and yet the services that are provided keep fluctuating or are completely cut off without any prior notification.
I think that the problems the utility companies face, should have nothing to do with us as consumers. It is an internal problem bedeviling these institutions and it is high time a solution was found.
With the Electricity Company of Ghana (EGC) for instance, certain people have been put in charge of reading the metres and are also engaged in disconnection exercises.
Unfortunately, some of these contractors end up collecting money from customers which does not get to the company, and thereby deny the company of projected funds needed to carry out its maintenance works among other investments.
The Ghana Water Company on the other hand assigns people to certain locations as caretakers who collect money on behalf of the company but fail to render proper accounts.
In my view, the companies must put very stringent measures in place to be able to keep track of their funds as a large percenage go into individual pockets. They should also device ways to recoup funds that are in arrears.
Mr Dennis
Amartey Ahia,
Radiographer
I say a big no to tariff increases. My reason being that the nation was promised a better Ghana and it is a surprise that so soon we should be slapped with proposed increase in tariffs. Where then is the better Ghana? so I say no to any attempt to increase utility tariffs.
When tariffs are increased now, we will be moving from the better Ghana situation to one of a worst Ghana and so we ought to be careful the way we handle this issue.
Just like petroleum prices which dictate the prices of commodities in this country, the moment tariffs on water and electricity go up, we should automatically anticipate spontaneous increase in essential products, particularly frozen foods.
Even if tariffs are increased by marginal percentage, it would not be justified because of the subsequent hardships as it would not be in line with the recent increase in the minimum wage.
Before the present Government took over the reigns of power, at least we could say that the Ghanaian currency was more or less equivalent to the dollar. But now, the situation has changed and it is not in favour of consumers.
Any increase in tariffs on utilities at this crucial point considering our adverse economic situation would really bring with it the kind of hardship we have never experienced before. For some years now all we do in this country, is to incease utility tariffs, while the quality of service rendered in exchange has not improved.
Abdul Shakur,
Legal Practitioner
I will support an increase in utility tariffs to the extent that it will be commensurate with the services provided by the utility companies. Under such situation, one could go to sleep fully assured that at least ones electrical gadgets will be insulated against break downs due to power fluctuations.
One could also be rest assured of constant flow of water through the taps without any headache. However, if the increases will not reflect the kind of services sought for by consumers, then it is not welcome.
Many a time it is argued that consumers are not paying realistic tariffs. I think this argument does not hold water, especially when the companies responsible for providing utility services cannot guarantee a 24-hour uninterrupted services. Why then do they deserve the supposed extra funds for which they are calling for an increase in tariffs?
It is worth noting that as human institutions dealing with machines, they may encounter problems but it should not be made a regular feature where constantly problems keep rearing their heads much to the chagrin and disappointment of the consumers.
Really I think it is a chicken and egg situation where you give me the best of services and I also honour my expected recompense when it is due.
What ever it is, utility companies really need some form of capitalisation to be able to stand on their own and improve upon their services including replacing their obsolete equipments. which more often than not are the causes of some of their problems.
Anita Asase,
Student, Wa
Polytechnic
As a country it is important that the issue of utility tariffs is dealt with once and for all. It looks as if matters concerning tariffs have become an albatross round our necks and keeps recurring.
I know it is important that we pay the required tariffs for the use of utility services, be it electricity, water or whatever utility. This way, the used in churning out the services could be maintained and the workers also paid.
However, I am of the opinion that utility tariffs must not be increased now considering the burden it would have on us as people. I say this because the economy is in dire circumstances with a lot of people really feeling the heat and hardly able to make ends meet. Therefore, if tariffs go up there is going to be a lot more pressure on families.
On the other hand if the increment is so crucial that it is the only way out to salvage the utility companies, then I suggest that the percentage increase must be very minimal in order not to over-burden the citizenry. In addition, I propose that such an increase corresponds with the provision of efficient services from these companies so that we get value for money.
But considering the present situation where lights for instance, keep fluctuating and people’s gadgets get destroyed, it will not be acceptable we have to pay so much and in the end have to go repairing our damaged appliances.
Patience Alhassan,
Hairdresser
This is a topic I have been pondering over for a long time now. Just look at the way I’m struggling as a hairdresser, I need water and electricity all the time but that has not been the case.
It is either the taps do not flow or that water is being rationed. It is really perturbing, the manner in which these two institutions, water and electricity, give us so much headache.
It is almost impossible to live without the two. Interestingly, both water and electricity move hand in hand and when there is a problem with water electricity is affected and vice versa.
Currently, times are hard as people do not have even enough money to buy food to eat. And so if utility tariffs should also be increased then we are doomed. What is happening to this country of ours? Suddenly it’s all about increase in this or that. I think there is something wrong somewhere and the authorities really need to sit up and relieve us of the burden.
In this hair dressing profession for instance sometimes there are days when one’s services would not be patronised as expected and yet we are expected to pay huge tariffs.
I would like to plead with the institutions to rather concentrate on making available more of the prepaid metres because like many others I’m more comfortable with that than the postpaid metres.
With the prepaid I purchase as many units as I can afford and then use it. Unlike the prepaid metres, the postpaid metres come with all sorts of bills that are sometimes over bloated and yet one is expected to pay without any complaint.
Secretary
The way and manner in which tarrifs are increased in this country could lead to a situation where one day we would wake up to the news that many people have decided not to use pipe borne water or electricity anymore.
This is because people are gradually becoming fed up with this situation, more so when it does not come with any significant improvement in the services being rendered.
If you take the Upper West Region for instance, already many residents are struggling to make ends meet, not to talk even of those in the rural areas. If the proposed tariff increases is implemented, it will mean that some people will be denied access to electricity and potable water due to their inability to pay.
Under the circumstances, they would turn to other sources for water which could be unwholesome, and thus we may have a big problem on our hands as water borne diseases which we have fought over years to eradicate may rear their ugly heads once again.
When tariffs would have to be increased at all cost, then that must be done in line with a general increase in salaries so that the demand to increase utility tariffs would be mitigated by increase in salaries to enable people pay for utility services.
I think I that the utility companies should not think of increasing tariffs especially at this crucial period when the economy seem to be very stagnant and nothing seems to be moving the way it was expected.
Madam Mariga Musah,
Teacher
I do not really have a problem with increases in utility tariffs provided they come with the expected quality service that we all require.
Unfortunately, I have a problem when we pay huge tariffs and yet the services that are provided keep fluctuating or are completely cut off without any prior notification.
I think that the problems the utility companies face, should have nothing to do with us as consumers. It is an internal problem bedeviling these institutions and it is high time a solution was found.
With the Electricity Company of Ghana (EGC) for instance, certain people have been put in charge of reading the metres and are also engaged in disconnection exercises.
Unfortunately, some of these contractors end up collecting money from customers which does not get to the company, and thereby deny the company of projected funds needed to carry out its maintenance works among other investments.
The Ghana Water Company on the other hand assigns people to certain locations as caretakers who collect money on behalf of the company but fail to render proper accounts.
In my view, the companies must put very stringent measures in place to be able to keep track of their funds as a large percenage go into individual pockets. They should also device ways to recoup funds that are in arrears.
Mr Dennis
Amartey Ahia,
Radiographer
I say a big no to tariff increases. My reason being that the nation was promised a better Ghana and it is a surprise that so soon we should be slapped with proposed increase in tariffs. Where then is the better Ghana? so I say no to any attempt to increase utility tariffs.
When tariffs are increased now, we will be moving from the better Ghana situation to one of a worst Ghana and so we ought to be careful the way we handle this issue.
Just like petroleum prices which dictate the prices of commodities in this country, the moment tariffs on water and electricity go up, we should automatically anticipate spontaneous increase in essential products, particularly frozen foods.
Even if tariffs are increased by marginal percentage, it would not be justified because of the subsequent hardships as it would not be in line with the recent increase in the minimum wage.
Before the present Government took over the reigns of power, at least we could say that the Ghanaian currency was more or less equivalent to the dollar. But now, the situation has changed and it is not in favour of consumers.
Any increase in tariffs on utilities at this crucial point considering our adverse economic situation would really bring with it the kind of hardship we have never experienced before. For some years now all we do in this country, is to incease utility tariffs, while the quality of service rendered in exchange has not improved.
Abdul Shakur,
Legal Practitioner
I will support an increase in utility tariffs to the extent that it will be commensurate with the services provided by the utility companies. Under such situation, one could go to sleep fully assured that at least ones electrical gadgets will be insulated against break downs due to power fluctuations.
One could also be rest assured of constant flow of water through the taps without any headache. However, if the increases will not reflect the kind of services sought for by consumers, then it is not welcome.
Many a time it is argued that consumers are not paying realistic tariffs. I think this argument does not hold water, especially when the companies responsible for providing utility services cannot guarantee a 24-hour uninterrupted services. Why then do they deserve the supposed extra funds for which they are calling for an increase in tariffs?
It is worth noting that as human institutions dealing with machines, they may encounter problems but it should not be made a regular feature where constantly problems keep rearing their heads much to the chagrin and disappointment of the consumers.
Really I think it is a chicken and egg situation where you give me the best of services and I also honour my expected recompense when it is due.
What ever it is, utility companies really need some form of capitalisation to be able to stand on their own and improve upon their services including replacing their obsolete equipments. which more often than not are the causes of some of their problems.
Anita Asase,
Student, Wa
Polytechnic
As a country it is important that the issue of utility tariffs is dealt with once and for all. It looks as if matters concerning tariffs have become an albatross round our necks and keeps recurring.
I know it is important that we pay the required tariffs for the use of utility services, be it electricity, water or whatever utility. This way, the used in churning out the services could be maintained and the workers also paid.
However, I am of the opinion that utility tariffs must not be increased now considering the burden it would have on us as people. I say this because the economy is in dire circumstances with a lot of people really feeling the heat and hardly able to make ends meet. Therefore, if tariffs go up there is going to be a lot more pressure on families.
On the other hand if the increment is so crucial that it is the only way out to salvage the utility companies, then I suggest that the percentage increase must be very minimal in order not to over-burden the citizenry. In addition, I propose that such an increase corresponds with the provision of efficient services from these companies so that we get value for money.
But considering the present situation where lights for instance, keep fluctuating and people’s gadgets get destroyed, it will not be acceptable we have to pay so much and in the end have to go repairing our damaged appliances.
Patience Alhassan,
Hairdresser
This is a topic I have been pondering over for a long time now. Just look at the way I’m struggling as a hairdresser, I need water and electricity all the time but that has not been the case.
It is either the taps do not flow or that water is being rationed. It is really perturbing, the manner in which these two institutions, water and electricity, give us so much headache.
It is almost impossible to live without the two. Interestingly, both water and electricity move hand in hand and when there is a problem with water electricity is affected and vice versa.
Currently, times are hard as people do not have even enough money to buy food to eat. And so if utility tariffs should also be increased then we are doomed. What is happening to this country of ours? Suddenly it’s all about increase in this or that. I think there is something wrong somewhere and the authorities really need to sit up and relieve us of the burden.
In this hair dressing profession for instance sometimes there are days when one’s services would not be patronised as expected and yet we are expected to pay huge tariffs.
I would like to plead with the institutions to rather concentrate on making available more of the prepaid metres because like many others I’m more comfortable with that than the postpaid metres.
With the prepaid I purchase as many units as I can afford and then use it. Unlike the prepaid metres, the postpaid metres come with all sorts of bills that are sometimes over bloated and yet one is expected to pay without any complaint.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS YEAR...Views from panellists in Wa (MIRROR, PAGE 31, JAN 23, 2010)
I am happy that at least all our efforts to get more women empowered is receiving some attention.
Now the Government for instance is being gender sensitive and that is manifested in the appointment of more women into leadership positions. There is the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General including some female ambassadors.
It is my expectation that more women would receive support this year to be able to participate in political activities particularly at the district level in the assembly. I expect to see more women empowered in various ways this year and placed in positions which would enable them to deal with more issues bordering on the welfare of women.
I also wish that at least the Government would introduce special packages for brilliant female science students this year. Even though we keep harping on compulsory education for children of school age, there are still a number of children not in school and roaming the streets doing one thing or another.
For me, I do not think that enough has been done over the years to attract more children into schools.
It is in this vein that I suggest that we make the construction of libraries in our communities an issue of paramount interest this year. Here, I would want to suggest that we involve communities and NGOs to assist with books and other materials to stock the libraries.
As Ghanaians, we must all lend our support in this direction since government alone cannot do it all.
Life was a bit difficult getting to the latter part of last year, and so it is my expectation that at least this year will see a very buoyant economy that will empower Ghanaians financially to enable us meet our basic needs.
I would also want to see the Government put in more effort in its drive to create more jobs especially for the youth of the country. It must reduce the rate of unemployment and also deal with the crime situation in the country.
Job creation and getting more of the youth into productive ventures is very crucial and dear to my heart. When more and more people are busy and using their time productively, no one would indulge in armed robberies among other crimes.
I also expect that this year, some attention would be given to people in small scale businesses by providing them with subsidies and soft loans to enable them expand and sustain their businesses.
I wish that this year, people would come to appreciate the need to insure their lives and properties so that they do not incur any losses when the unexpected happens.
At presently, as life insurance has been separated from general business by the SIC, It is my hope that people would also take advantage and plan for their future with insurance products by preparing very well especially for their retirement needs.
I expect that the country would continue to remain more united than it did last year and also deepen the peace we are enjoying while as Ghanaians we remain each others keeper and contribute in our small way towards developing ourselves and the entire country.\
Obviously, it is the expectation of many that this year would be far better than last year. I pray that God grants me the strength and long life to be able to work to achieve all that I desire.
I believe that if all things go well with the oil discovery the way Ghanaians are anticipating, it will impact positively on our economy, particularly the banking sector as this would definitely help many people to achieve their targets.
Certainly, the oil boom is expected to bring in more money into the economy and hopefully this is expected to pass down to every Ghanaian.
With the level of competition in the banking sector presently, as a result of the newly emerging banks, those of us in the SG SSB have always maintained our standard as one of the best and so I expect all of us to work even harder to make our bank more better.
I also wish that all our dreams as individuals, families and friends are fulfilled within the year because as I speak now in as much as we are all contributing our quota to make the country what it is, it looks as if some of us did not reap the anticipated benefits last year. As such, it is my hope that this year be my year in which I grab opportunities that would come my way.
Indeed, I expect things to be far better for Ghanaians in terms of work, family issues and life in general so that as a people we can live peacefully without any problems.
It is my wish that this year there is a much improved attitude on the part of employers concerning the payment of contributions on behalf of employees.
In the same way, I expect that employees would also take advantage of the new pension scheme and acquaint themselves with documents covering the new scheme so that they become abreast with the new law and also correct and update their social security documentation.
Every year comes with its challenges but I expect 2010 to come with a lot of improvement in the lives of Ghanaians all over the country. At least we must be able as individuals to make ends meet and cater for our families.
I would not say that last year was bad except that I feel this year would be better. Last year, a few things did not go the way I wanted them and so it is my greatest expectation that this year I achieve my targets.
It my hope and prayer that the economy of Ghana improves to enable people have their heart’s desires.
I want the Government to sit up and address the needs of the citizenry because we are really suffering.
Since taking over the mantle, the Government has always shifted blame on the past administration for one thing or another and I think that all this is time wasting as we do not have much time on our side.
Already we are a year into the regime of the current Government and I expect that they do away with assurances and rather tackle the problems confronting the country.
So far, I am yet to feel the impact of any of the policies of the Government since it assumed power. I expect that this year it would honour its promises.
The single spine salary scheme is really dear to my heart and it is my expectation that at least I would benefit as I hear it is to be implemented in January this year but has been shifted to July. It is my hope that government would work hard at it.
With respect to the needs of teachers and the health sector I expect the Government to see these two sectors as very important and accord them all the necessary attention and support. I say this because currently our education system is nothing to write home about as standards are falling instead of improving.
It is the same with our health situation especially in the Upper West where some districts do not even have doctors or ambulances to transport patients from one health facility to another. I hope and pray that at least before the end of December 2010, there would be sharp improvement in these sectors as well as improvements in the roads linking Upper West to the Upper East and Northern regions so that travelling from Wa to any of these places will become easier and without any difficulties.
It is my expectation that before the year ends I will be promoted at my place of work and be hooked unto God. I also hope to intensify my church activities and help my family in which ever way I can.
I also expect to be given the chance to further my education and turn my entire life around for the better. Consequently, I expect government to tackle the issue of workers’ salary with all seriousness since money is the source of life.
I support efforts by the Government to bridge the economic gap between the north and the south while in addition it institutes measures to facilitate the process.
Unlike the previous year where the two major political parties seemed to be at each others throats, I expect that this year the two parties relate cordially with one another and with all the other political parties. It is very important that our politics was devoid of tensions and acrimony so that we could sustain the peace and tranquility that is existing.
One other major issue on my heart is the state of women in the country. I support all interventions by Government and other institutions to improve the lot of women and children and therefore I expect more to be done in this direction.
This is because women play very important roles in the development process of the country. When they are properly supported, it would go a long way to impact on children and entire families. That is not to say we should close our eyes to support and developmental issues that concern men.
I am convinced nonetheless, that issues concerning women and children really deserved maximum attention especially from central government since in my estimation not much has been done as a country in this direction.
Now the Government for instance is being gender sensitive and that is manifested in the appointment of more women into leadership positions. There is the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General including some female ambassadors.
It is my expectation that more women would receive support this year to be able to participate in political activities particularly at the district level in the assembly. I expect to see more women empowered in various ways this year and placed in positions which would enable them to deal with more issues bordering on the welfare of women.
I also wish that at least the Government would introduce special packages for brilliant female science students this year. Even though we keep harping on compulsory education for children of school age, there are still a number of children not in school and roaming the streets doing one thing or another.
For me, I do not think that enough has been done over the years to attract more children into schools.
It is in this vein that I suggest that we make the construction of libraries in our communities an issue of paramount interest this year. Here, I would want to suggest that we involve communities and NGOs to assist with books and other materials to stock the libraries.
As Ghanaians, we must all lend our support in this direction since government alone cannot do it all.
Life was a bit difficult getting to the latter part of last year, and so it is my expectation that at least this year will see a very buoyant economy that will empower Ghanaians financially to enable us meet our basic needs.
I would also want to see the Government put in more effort in its drive to create more jobs especially for the youth of the country. It must reduce the rate of unemployment and also deal with the crime situation in the country.
Job creation and getting more of the youth into productive ventures is very crucial and dear to my heart. When more and more people are busy and using their time productively, no one would indulge in armed robberies among other crimes.
I also expect that this year, some attention would be given to people in small scale businesses by providing them with subsidies and soft loans to enable them expand and sustain their businesses.
I wish that this year, people would come to appreciate the need to insure their lives and properties so that they do not incur any losses when the unexpected happens.
At presently, as life insurance has been separated from general business by the SIC, It is my hope that people would also take advantage and plan for their future with insurance products by preparing very well especially for their retirement needs.
I expect that the country would continue to remain more united than it did last year and also deepen the peace we are enjoying while as Ghanaians we remain each others keeper and contribute in our small way towards developing ourselves and the entire country.\
Obviously, it is the expectation of many that this year would be far better than last year. I pray that God grants me the strength and long life to be able to work to achieve all that I desire.
I believe that if all things go well with the oil discovery the way Ghanaians are anticipating, it will impact positively on our economy, particularly the banking sector as this would definitely help many people to achieve their targets.
Certainly, the oil boom is expected to bring in more money into the economy and hopefully this is expected to pass down to every Ghanaian.
With the level of competition in the banking sector presently, as a result of the newly emerging banks, those of us in the SG SSB have always maintained our standard as one of the best and so I expect all of us to work even harder to make our bank more better.
I also wish that all our dreams as individuals, families and friends are fulfilled within the year because as I speak now in as much as we are all contributing our quota to make the country what it is, it looks as if some of us did not reap the anticipated benefits last year. As such, it is my hope that this year be my year in which I grab opportunities that would come my way.
Indeed, I expect things to be far better for Ghanaians in terms of work, family issues and life in general so that as a people we can live peacefully without any problems.
It is my wish that this year there is a much improved attitude on the part of employers concerning the payment of contributions on behalf of employees.
In the same way, I expect that employees would also take advantage of the new pension scheme and acquaint themselves with documents covering the new scheme so that they become abreast with the new law and also correct and update their social security documentation.
Every year comes with its challenges but I expect 2010 to come with a lot of improvement in the lives of Ghanaians all over the country. At least we must be able as individuals to make ends meet and cater for our families.
I would not say that last year was bad except that I feel this year would be better. Last year, a few things did not go the way I wanted them and so it is my greatest expectation that this year I achieve my targets.
It my hope and prayer that the economy of Ghana improves to enable people have their heart’s desires.
I want the Government to sit up and address the needs of the citizenry because we are really suffering.
Since taking over the mantle, the Government has always shifted blame on the past administration for one thing or another and I think that all this is time wasting as we do not have much time on our side.
Already we are a year into the regime of the current Government and I expect that they do away with assurances and rather tackle the problems confronting the country.
So far, I am yet to feel the impact of any of the policies of the Government since it assumed power. I expect that this year it would honour its promises.
The single spine salary scheme is really dear to my heart and it is my expectation that at least I would benefit as I hear it is to be implemented in January this year but has been shifted to July. It is my hope that government would work hard at it.
With respect to the needs of teachers and the health sector I expect the Government to see these two sectors as very important and accord them all the necessary attention and support. I say this because currently our education system is nothing to write home about as standards are falling instead of improving.
It is the same with our health situation especially in the Upper West where some districts do not even have doctors or ambulances to transport patients from one health facility to another. I hope and pray that at least before the end of December 2010, there would be sharp improvement in these sectors as well as improvements in the roads linking Upper West to the Upper East and Northern regions so that travelling from Wa to any of these places will become easier and without any difficulties.
It is my expectation that before the year ends I will be promoted at my place of work and be hooked unto God. I also hope to intensify my church activities and help my family in which ever way I can.
I also expect to be given the chance to further my education and turn my entire life around for the better. Consequently, I expect government to tackle the issue of workers’ salary with all seriousness since money is the source of life.
I support efforts by the Government to bridge the economic gap between the north and the south while in addition it institutes measures to facilitate the process.
Unlike the previous year where the two major political parties seemed to be at each others throats, I expect that this year the two parties relate cordially with one another and with all the other political parties. It is very important that our politics was devoid of tensions and acrimony so that we could sustain the peace and tranquility that is existing.
One other major issue on my heart is the state of women in the country. I support all interventions by Government and other institutions to improve the lot of women and children and therefore I expect more to be done in this direction.
This is because women play very important roles in the development process of the country. When they are properly supported, it would go a long way to impact on children and entire families. That is not to say we should close our eyes to support and developmental issues that concern men.
I am convinced nonetheless, that issues concerning women and children really deserved maximum attention especially from central government since in my estimation not much has been done as a country in this direction.
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