From Chris Nunoo, Wa
THE Wa police have arrested two suspected armed robbers, Nayaa Aweriba, 35, and George Tofaha Suglo, 46, on the Wa-Jirapa road.
The suspects, who were riding a motorcycle, were arrested after a police patrol team intercepted their motorcycle at about 8 p.m. last Sunday.
The Upper West Regional Police Commander, ACP Alex Bedie, who briefed The Mirror, said when a search was conducted on the suspects a shotgun with seven cartridges and two jack knives were found.
He said when they were questioned they said they were galamsey operators at Dekope in Bole in the Northern Region.
ACP Bedie said Nayaa claimed he bought the gun from one Robert and that they were travelling to Kaleo in the Nadowli District of the region for a funeral where he was going to use the gun to fire musketry as a sign of respect to the departed.
Mr Bedie said their explanation did not convince the patrol team and were arrested.
He said the two suspects had since been detained while a search had been mounted for Robert.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
MAN NABBED OVER FATHER'S DEATH (PAGE 29, MIRROR, OCT 3)
From Chris Nunoo, Wa
The Wa Police have arrested a man, Sumani Isaka Jnr, from Bugubelie near Tumu in the Sissala East district for allegedly shooting and killing his father.
The Police are also searching for three other suspects who allegedly teamed up with Isaka to inflict multiple cutlass wounds on one Bashiru Salifu, a suspected yam thief.
The Upper West Regional Police Commander, ACP Alex Bedie, told The Mirror that on September 13, 2009 the police in Tumu received a complaint from Isaka that his 45-year-old father, Sumani Isaka Snr, left the house for his farm and has since not returned.
He said Isaka claimed he followed up to the farm only to find out that his father had been murdered and that he suspected Salifu, who is also a farmer.
He said the police followed Isaka to the scene and the body was found with a deep wound in the left thigh suspected to have been caused by a gunshot.
Mr Bedie said upon inspection by the police it came out that the deceased was shot from close range and added that when the police further conducted a search in the area, they found Salifu with cutlass wounds all over his body lying unconscious in the bush.
He said a postmortem conducted on the deceased showed that he died of haemorrhage resulting from excessive bleeding from the thigh.
Mr Bedie said further investigations revealed that on that fateful day the deceased went to the farm only to realise that someone had gone to steal tubers of yam from his farm and he immediately suspected Salifu, who is alleged to be a well-known crop thief in the area.
He said the deceased who was not happy about what he discovered on his farm quickly went home and organised three others and Isaka, who armed themselves with cutlasses and a gun and went to the farm to look for Salifu.
He said when they met Salifu on the farm and questioned him about the loss of the yam, a brawl ensued and Salifu managed to overpower the deceased and held him onto the ground.
In the process, ACP Bedie said, the deceased asked Isaka to shoot at Salifu but Isaka missed and rather fired at his father in the thigh.
He said Salifu sensing danger got up from the deceased but the three others and Isaka pounced on Salifu and inflicted cutlass wounds on him.
Thinking that Salifu was dead, ACP Bedie said, the four dumped him in the bush and fled the scene with the then wounded Isaka Snr but he died on the way.
He said Isaka when interrogated denied shooting the father and blamed Salifu for doing that.
Mr Bedie said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Wa hospital morgue while Salifu has been admitted at the Wa Regional Hospital for medical treatment under police guard.
The Wa Police have arrested a man, Sumani Isaka Jnr, from Bugubelie near Tumu in the Sissala East district for allegedly shooting and killing his father.
The Police are also searching for three other suspects who allegedly teamed up with Isaka to inflict multiple cutlass wounds on one Bashiru Salifu, a suspected yam thief.
The Upper West Regional Police Commander, ACP Alex Bedie, told The Mirror that on September 13, 2009 the police in Tumu received a complaint from Isaka that his 45-year-old father, Sumani Isaka Snr, left the house for his farm and has since not returned.
He said Isaka claimed he followed up to the farm only to find out that his father had been murdered and that he suspected Salifu, who is also a farmer.
He said the police followed Isaka to the scene and the body was found with a deep wound in the left thigh suspected to have been caused by a gunshot.
Mr Bedie said upon inspection by the police it came out that the deceased was shot from close range and added that when the police further conducted a search in the area, they found Salifu with cutlass wounds all over his body lying unconscious in the bush.
He said a postmortem conducted on the deceased showed that he died of haemorrhage resulting from excessive bleeding from the thigh.
Mr Bedie said further investigations revealed that on that fateful day the deceased went to the farm only to realise that someone had gone to steal tubers of yam from his farm and he immediately suspected Salifu, who is alleged to be a well-known crop thief in the area.
He said the deceased who was not happy about what he discovered on his farm quickly went home and organised three others and Isaka, who armed themselves with cutlasses and a gun and went to the farm to look for Salifu.
He said when they met Salifu on the farm and questioned him about the loss of the yam, a brawl ensued and Salifu managed to overpower the deceased and held him onto the ground.
In the process, ACP Bedie said, the deceased asked Isaka to shoot at Salifu but Isaka missed and rather fired at his father in the thigh.
He said Salifu sensing danger got up from the deceased but the three others and Isaka pounced on Salifu and inflicted cutlass wounds on him.
Thinking that Salifu was dead, ACP Bedie said, the four dumped him in the bush and fled the scene with the then wounded Isaka Snr but he died on the way.
He said Isaka when interrogated denied shooting the father and blamed Salifu for doing that.
Mr Bedie said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Wa hospital morgue while Salifu has been admitted at the Wa Regional Hospital for medical treatment under police guard.
Friday, October 9, 2009
DCE CALLS FOR CLOSER COLLABORATION (PAGE 16, SEPT 28)
THE District Chief Executive (DCE) for Lawra, Mr Samson Abu, has called for closer collaboration among the various departments, agencies and the assembly to keep the district on track in its development effort.
To this end, he has underscored the need for a regular interaction between the respective heads of institutions and the assembly in order to move as a united force.
Interacting with the Daily Graphic in Wa, the DCE said situations where some institutions did not participate fully or make any input into programmes of the assembly sometimes slowed or derailed development programmes.
He, therefore, called for a change of attitude among the various stakeholders in the district.
“Let us move in unison as we all have the intention to reduce the poverty level of our people”, he stressed and said the Government was working assiduously to better the lives of all Ghanaians.
Mr Samson Abu said revenue mobilisation, was one of the priorities of the assembly.
He said the overdependence on the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) had not augured well for many assemblies and, therefore, there was the need to raise more revenue internally to carry out development projects.
Mr Abu hinted that the assembly would recruit more people under the youth employment programme as revenue collectors.
“We also want to strengthen the area and town councils by getting the right people to do the monitoring at these levels. At the first point of call from the grass roots, we hope to use the area and town councils to rope in more revenue” he explained.
He added that there were plans to put up a permanent office complex to house the assembly because where it currently operated belonged to the controller and accountant general’s department
In addition, the DCE said, the assembly, with assistance from the District Development Fund (DDF), would also construct a 16-room self- contained apartment to house nurses who would be posted to the district.
That, he said, was part of efforts by the assembly to entice and maintain health personnel posted to the district.
To this end, he has underscored the need for a regular interaction between the respective heads of institutions and the assembly in order to move as a united force.
Interacting with the Daily Graphic in Wa, the DCE said situations where some institutions did not participate fully or make any input into programmes of the assembly sometimes slowed or derailed development programmes.
He, therefore, called for a change of attitude among the various stakeholders in the district.
“Let us move in unison as we all have the intention to reduce the poverty level of our people”, he stressed and said the Government was working assiduously to better the lives of all Ghanaians.
Mr Samson Abu said revenue mobilisation, was one of the priorities of the assembly.
He said the overdependence on the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) had not augured well for many assemblies and, therefore, there was the need to raise more revenue internally to carry out development projects.
Mr Abu hinted that the assembly would recruit more people under the youth employment programme as revenue collectors.
“We also want to strengthen the area and town councils by getting the right people to do the monitoring at these levels. At the first point of call from the grass roots, we hope to use the area and town councils to rope in more revenue” he explained.
He added that there were plans to put up a permanent office complex to house the assembly because where it currently operated belonged to the controller and accountant general’s department
In addition, the DCE said, the assembly, with assistance from the District Development Fund (DDF), would also construct a 16-room self- contained apartment to house nurses who would be posted to the district.
That, he said, was part of efforts by the assembly to entice and maintain health personnel posted to the district.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
STOP DEMONISING POLITICAL OPPONENTS ...Says Amuah (SEPT 19, PAGE 14)
A Social worker, Mr Donald Amuah, has called on politicians to refrain from demonising political traditions and ideologies of their political opponents.
This, he said, would bring much harmony among the various political parties rather than polarising them.
"We are in a country where a group of people see everything Dr Kwame Nkrumah did as bad, while other groups also see the works of Dr Abrefa Busia to be the same", Mr Amuah lamented, and added that when such things existed, we would always have conflicts on our hands.
Speaking on the topic: "Conflict prevention, resolution and transformation — the role of the youth in northern Ghana," Mr Amuah expressed concern about the signals the political leaders were sending to the next generation with such postures.
He attributed many of the conflicts scattered around the country to some of these developments, saying, "In a country where we do not accept our heroes and where people still lament that successive governments have not treated them well, the problem seeps down to the ordinary people and into institutions, which usually leads to conflicts".
Mr Amuah was addressing selected women's groups at a two-day workshop on conflict resolution in Wa.
It was organised by the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province Pastoral Conference (TEPPCON), with support from the Konrad Adenaur Foundation.
Commenting on the recent debate over the country's educational system, Mr Amuah expressed regret that after 50 years of independence, "There are still unresolved conflicts over our educational system.”
He, therefore, stressed the need for the Government to involve all stakeholders, including parents and come out with clear structures on the country's educational system.
He, therefore, called on Ghanaians to be bold and hold political leaders accountable, pointing out that we must do away with situations where political leaders imposed decisions on the people.
He expressed the hope that an opportunity would be created for the youth by way of national conferences for them to interact very often, so that they come to appreciate common natural values.
This, Mr Amuah said, would concientise the country's youth to refrain from being coerced into conflict or whipping up sentiments that would lead to conflicts.
This, he said, would bring much harmony among the various political parties rather than polarising them.
"We are in a country where a group of people see everything Dr Kwame Nkrumah did as bad, while other groups also see the works of Dr Abrefa Busia to be the same", Mr Amuah lamented, and added that when such things existed, we would always have conflicts on our hands.
Speaking on the topic: "Conflict prevention, resolution and transformation — the role of the youth in northern Ghana," Mr Amuah expressed concern about the signals the political leaders were sending to the next generation with such postures.
He attributed many of the conflicts scattered around the country to some of these developments, saying, "In a country where we do not accept our heroes and where people still lament that successive governments have not treated them well, the problem seeps down to the ordinary people and into institutions, which usually leads to conflicts".
Mr Amuah was addressing selected women's groups at a two-day workshop on conflict resolution in Wa.
It was organised by the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province Pastoral Conference (TEPPCON), with support from the Konrad Adenaur Foundation.
Commenting on the recent debate over the country's educational system, Mr Amuah expressed regret that after 50 years of independence, "There are still unresolved conflicts over our educational system.”
He, therefore, stressed the need for the Government to involve all stakeholders, including parents and come out with clear structures on the country's educational system.
He, therefore, called on Ghanaians to be bold and hold political leaders accountable, pointing out that we must do away with situations where political leaders imposed decisions on the people.
He expressed the hope that an opportunity would be created for the youth by way of national conferences for them to interact very often, so that they come to appreciate common natural values.
This, Mr Amuah said, would concientise the country's youth to refrain from being coerced into conflict or whipping up sentiments that would lead to conflicts.
STOP DEMONISING POLITICAL OPPONENTS ...Says Amuah (SEPT 19, PAGE 14)
A Social worker, Mr Donald Amuah, has called on politicians to refrain from demonising political traditions and ideologies of their political opponents.
This, he said, would bring much harmony among the various political parties rather than polarising them.
"We are in a country where a group of people see everything Dr Kwame Nkrumah did as bad, while other groups also see the works of Dr Abrefa Busia to be the same", Mr Amuah lamented, and added that when such things existed, we would always have conflicts on our hands.
Speaking on the topic: "Conflict prevention, resolution and transformation — the role of the youth in northern Ghana," Mr Amuah expressed concern about the signals the political leaders were sending to the next generation with such postures.
He attributed many of the conflicts scattered around the country to some of these developments, saying, "In a country where we do not accept our heroes and where people still lament that successive governments have not treated them well, the problem seeps down to the ordinary people and into institutions, which usually leads to conflicts".
Mr Amuah was addressing selected women's groups at a two-day workshop on conflict resolution in Wa.
It was organised by the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province Pastoral Conference (TEPPCON), with support from the Konrad Adenaur Foundation.
Commenting on the recent debate over the country's educational system, Mr Amuah expressed regret that after 50 years of independence, "There are still unresolved conflicts over our educational system.”
He, therefore, stressed the need for the Government to involve all stakeholders, including parents and come out with clear structures on the country's educational system.
He, therefore, called on Ghanaians to be bold and hold political leaders accountable, pointing out that we must do away with situations where political leaders imposed decisions on the people.
He expressed the hope that an opportunity would be created for the youth by way of national conferences for them to interact very often, so that they come to appreciate common natural values.
This, Mr Amuah said, would concientise the country's youth to refrain from being coerced into conflict or whipping up sentiments that would lead to conflicts.
This, he said, would bring much harmony among the various political parties rather than polarising them.
"We are in a country where a group of people see everything Dr Kwame Nkrumah did as bad, while other groups also see the works of Dr Abrefa Busia to be the same", Mr Amuah lamented, and added that when such things existed, we would always have conflicts on our hands.
Speaking on the topic: "Conflict prevention, resolution and transformation — the role of the youth in northern Ghana," Mr Amuah expressed concern about the signals the political leaders were sending to the next generation with such postures.
He attributed many of the conflicts scattered around the country to some of these developments, saying, "In a country where we do not accept our heroes and where people still lament that successive governments have not treated them well, the problem seeps down to the ordinary people and into institutions, which usually leads to conflicts".
Mr Amuah was addressing selected women's groups at a two-day workshop on conflict resolution in Wa.
It was organised by the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province Pastoral Conference (TEPPCON), with support from the Konrad Adenaur Foundation.
Commenting on the recent debate over the country's educational system, Mr Amuah expressed regret that after 50 years of independence, "There are still unresolved conflicts over our educational system.”
He, therefore, stressed the need for the Government to involve all stakeholders, including parents and come out with clear structures on the country's educational system.
He, therefore, called on Ghanaians to be bold and hold political leaders accountable, pointing out that we must do away with situations where political leaders imposed decisions on the people.
He expressed the hope that an opportunity would be created for the youth by way of national conferences for them to interact very often, so that they come to appreciate common natural values.
This, Mr Amuah said, would concientise the country's youth to refrain from being coerced into conflict or whipping up sentiments that would lead to conflicts.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
MR KHALID DAUDA...The driver with a heart (JUNIOR GRAPHIC PAGE 6)
It was his responsibility as a child to send his uncle’s livestock for grazing each morning before he could dash to school.
After walking a long distance to and from school, he had to sell kerosene in the evenings in order to raise money to supplement what his uncle gave him daily.
In spite of being a shepherd, as well as perform household chores, he never gave up on his education because he loved being in school.
Young Khalid began his education at the then Wa Experimental Primary School and proceeded to Wa Middle School, from where he was recruited into the Fire Service Volunteer Group. He passed out as one of the best recruits, at age 17.
Although his formal education ended at the middle school level, he placed a lot of value on education. It was this love for education which caused him to help children within his community and beyond to have quality education.
It is, therefore, not surprising that the Our Home International School which is one of the best private schools that Wa, the capital of the Upper West Region, can boast of; is the brain child of 57-year-old Mr Khalid Dauda, a professional driver.
Sharing his life experience with the Junior Graphic, Mr Dauda attributed his success story to the advice and support of his friends. He particularly mentioned his bosom friend, popularly known as Alhaji Condition, who encouraged him to take up the challenge of starting the school.
After completing Middle Form Four, Mr Dauda worked with the Ghana Fire Service for three years and became a contractor before joining the Architectural and Engineering Services Limited as a driver for close to 19 years.
What began as private tuition for four children from his neighbourhood on his porch has today transformed into a first class preparatory school that could measure up to any of the top schools in the country.
It all started when his wife resigned from the Social Welfare Department, and his friend, who knew about his love for children and education, suggested to him that they start a nursery school at home for his wife to take charge of.
“After careful thought, I impressed upon my wife to go through the necessary training, and when she completed the course on pre-school education, we started. From then on, my porch became the classroom, with just four children from the neighbourhood,” he recalled.
He said the school grew rapidly when the neighbours realised that the children were performing well.
Through the support of the parent-teacher association (PTA), the school now has decent premises and has also acquired a bus with the help of an expatriate friend of the school from Holland.
Our Home International School now has 181 pupils at the primary section, with about 500 children at the kindergarten and nursery departments.
Currently, the school receives volunteer teachers from Belgium and Holland to complement the efforts of their Ghanaian counterparts.
Currently, the school has two teachers in each classroom from nursery up to the primary level. Although Mr Dauda is the proprietor of the school, he continues to drive the children to and from school each day to ensure that they get to and from school early and safely.
"Presently, my vision is to develop this school to be able to compete with other schools in all fields, be it academic, sports or any other discipline,” stressed Mr Dauda.
He thus advised children never to give up on their dreams and make do with whatever that is provided them by their parents.
After walking a long distance to and from school, he had to sell kerosene in the evenings in order to raise money to supplement what his uncle gave him daily.
In spite of being a shepherd, as well as perform household chores, he never gave up on his education because he loved being in school.
Young Khalid began his education at the then Wa Experimental Primary School and proceeded to Wa Middle School, from where he was recruited into the Fire Service Volunteer Group. He passed out as one of the best recruits, at age 17.
Although his formal education ended at the middle school level, he placed a lot of value on education. It was this love for education which caused him to help children within his community and beyond to have quality education.
It is, therefore, not surprising that the Our Home International School which is one of the best private schools that Wa, the capital of the Upper West Region, can boast of; is the brain child of 57-year-old Mr Khalid Dauda, a professional driver.
Sharing his life experience with the Junior Graphic, Mr Dauda attributed his success story to the advice and support of his friends. He particularly mentioned his bosom friend, popularly known as Alhaji Condition, who encouraged him to take up the challenge of starting the school.
After completing Middle Form Four, Mr Dauda worked with the Ghana Fire Service for three years and became a contractor before joining the Architectural and Engineering Services Limited as a driver for close to 19 years.
What began as private tuition for four children from his neighbourhood on his porch has today transformed into a first class preparatory school that could measure up to any of the top schools in the country.
It all started when his wife resigned from the Social Welfare Department, and his friend, who knew about his love for children and education, suggested to him that they start a nursery school at home for his wife to take charge of.
“After careful thought, I impressed upon my wife to go through the necessary training, and when she completed the course on pre-school education, we started. From then on, my porch became the classroom, with just four children from the neighbourhood,” he recalled.
He said the school grew rapidly when the neighbours realised that the children were performing well.
Through the support of the parent-teacher association (PTA), the school now has decent premises and has also acquired a bus with the help of an expatriate friend of the school from Holland.
Our Home International School now has 181 pupils at the primary section, with about 500 children at the kindergarten and nursery departments.
Currently, the school receives volunteer teachers from Belgium and Holland to complement the efforts of their Ghanaian counterparts.
Currently, the school has two teachers in each classroom from nursery up to the primary level. Although Mr Dauda is the proprietor of the school, he continues to drive the children to and from school each day to ensure that they get to and from school early and safely.
"Presently, my vision is to develop this school to be able to compete with other schools in all fields, be it academic, sports or any other discipline,” stressed Mr Dauda.
He thus advised children never to give up on their dreams and make do with whatever that is provided them by their parents.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
WA SHS SPEAKS ON MATERNAL MORTALITY (JUNIOR GRAPHIC, PAGE 15)
My understanding of maternal mortality is when women die through childbirth. I believe that many women are dying through childbirth as a result of malnutrition.
Fortunately for me, I do not know any woman who died through childbirth but I hear of women dying while giving birth from other people.
I believe that the problem of maternal mortality could be solved if our health centres were equipped with the right professionals who can take proper care of pregnant women and also advise them on the dos and don’ts during pregnancy.
When this is done, at least, we could minimise these unfortunate deaths if not stop them entirely.
I know a young girl who died while giving birth. I learnt because her body was not fully developed, she had complications and died together with the baby.
I will, therefore, take this opportunity to advise all young girls not to indulge in pre-marital sex in order not to expose themselves to any danger.
I also think we need more gynaecologists to educate and advise our pregnant mothers on issues related to their pregnancies. When that is done, I am convinced we would achieve results.
Husbands also have to encourage their pregnant wives to go for regular ante-natal check-ups and not overwork their wives.
Maternal mortality is used to describe women who die during pregnancy or while giving birth.
Currently, the Upper West Region is said to be leading in terms of deaths related to pregnant women and children under five years in the country.
I think that when the road network across the region is improved and the nutrition as well as health of women is well catered for, a lot of gains will be made in this direction.
I will advise women to seek proper medical care when pregnant and also eat nutritious foods. These among other things will help reduce maternal mortality in the country.
There was this woman from Doli in the Bole District of the Northern Region who died while having her baby.
It was alleged that she died because she did not eat well before and even during the pregnancy. As a result, she developed complications during the pregnancy which consequently led to her death during delivery.
One of the causes of maternal deaths in the country is that some women work too hard. Up here in the north, for instance, a lot of women work very hard but do not eat well, therefore, their health is affected when they get pregnant.
I suggest that special diets are recommended for pregnant women when they visit the hospital. Pregnant women must also attend regular check-ups. There must be continuous public education to make women know what they have to do when pregnant to save their lives.
Fortunately for me, I do not know any woman who died through childbirth but I hear of women dying while giving birth from other people.
I believe that the problem of maternal mortality could be solved if our health centres were equipped with the right professionals who can take proper care of pregnant women and also advise them on the dos and don’ts during pregnancy.
When this is done, at least, we could minimise these unfortunate deaths if not stop them entirely.
I know a young girl who died while giving birth. I learnt because her body was not fully developed, she had complications and died together with the baby.
I will, therefore, take this opportunity to advise all young girls not to indulge in pre-marital sex in order not to expose themselves to any danger.
I also think we need more gynaecologists to educate and advise our pregnant mothers on issues related to their pregnancies. When that is done, I am convinced we would achieve results.
Husbands also have to encourage their pregnant wives to go for regular ante-natal check-ups and not overwork their wives.
Maternal mortality is used to describe women who die during pregnancy or while giving birth.
Currently, the Upper West Region is said to be leading in terms of deaths related to pregnant women and children under five years in the country.
I think that when the road network across the region is improved and the nutrition as well as health of women is well catered for, a lot of gains will be made in this direction.
I will advise women to seek proper medical care when pregnant and also eat nutritious foods. These among other things will help reduce maternal mortality in the country.
There was this woman from Doli in the Bole District of the Northern Region who died while having her baby.
It was alleged that she died because she did not eat well before and even during the pregnancy. As a result, she developed complications during the pregnancy which consequently led to her death during delivery.
One of the causes of maternal deaths in the country is that some women work too hard. Up here in the north, for instance, a lot of women work very hard but do not eat well, therefore, their health is affected when they get pregnant.
I suggest that special diets are recommended for pregnant women when they visit the hospital. Pregnant women must also attend regular check-ups. There must be continuous public education to make women know what they have to do when pregnant to save their lives.
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