Story: Chris Nunoo, Mandari
THE Minister of Agriculture, Mr Ernest Debrah, has challenged the chiefs and people of Mandari, near Bole in the Northern Region, to make good use of the various water bodies in the area.
He urged them to undertake dry season gardening to enhance food security in the area in particular and the nation at large.
Mr Debrah observed that relying solely on rain-fed agriculture could be disastrous, especially in times of drought since the gains made with respect to food production could be derailed.
The minister gave the advice in a speech read on his behalf during the celebration of the Seidu Bille festival at Mandari.
The Seidu Bille festival, which derived its name from the “tembi yam” from Cote d’Ivoire, is celebrated in April, every year, by the chiefs and people of Mandari.
It is to commemorate the arrival of Alhaji Seidu Bille from Cote d’Ivoire to Mandari with the “tembi yam” after visiting that country.
Mr Debrah said poverty reduction was one of the main concerns of the government and had manifested in the objectives being pursued by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in ensuring a lasting food security.
He paid tribute to Alhaji Seidu Bille for his gallant efforts of ensuring food security in the town.
The minister further advised farmers to stick to the recommended agronomic practices, adding that they should refrain from indiscriminate bush burning.
The Chief of Mandari, Mandariwura Mahama, appealed to the government for more development projects, such as electricity, schools, markets and an irrigation project to ensure an all-year-round farming in the community.
He said the communities in the area had never experienced any hunger since the introduction of the yam about 24 years ago.
The chief expressed regret that in spite of the enormous contributions of the people of Mandari to the nation’s food production over the years, not a single farmer had won a national award.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
WA TO BURST AT THE SEAMS ...As All Stars host Hearts (PAGE 31)
Story: Chris Nunoo, Wa
The excitement that has gripped the Wa municipality over tomorrow’s Onetouch Premier League clash between Accra Hearts of Oak and Wa All Stars at the Wa sports stadium has led to an increase in the gate fees from GH¢2 to GH¢4 for the popular stand, with the fee for the VIP stand going up from GH¢3 to GH¢5.
Fans of the Wa club are leaving no stone unturned and have vowed to support their team right from the blast of the referee’s whistle to the end. To them the price hike would not discourage them from trooping to the stadium in their numbers to cheer their idol club.
Call it the talk of the town and you would not be mistaken as the everyday politics in the municipality has been relegated to the background because of the encounter. The song on the lips of many of All Stars supporters is that Hearts will leave Wa with a 2-0 deficit, but the few Hearts of Oak supporters in town have kept their cool, saying that they are waiting till Sunday “since the field would decide”.
All Stars have promised not to leave anything to chance as the second round gradually gathers momentum. This has also been buttressed by the Chairman of the club, Mr Yunusah Abdul Rahman, that the team was poised to avenge all the defeats it suffered in the first round of the league.
The much-publicised encounter is also expected to live up to its billing, especially as there is every indication that the stadium would attract one of the largest crowds since All Stars gained admission to the premiership.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the chairman of the club, Mr Abdul Rahman, assured supporters of both teams of maximum security, saying the current healthy rivalry in the municipality must be extended to the field of play.
He said All Stars were more than determined to win against all the teams they lost to in the first round and warned those teams to be on their guard.
Mr Rahman, who spoke with confidence, said Hearts of Oak would see a new look All Stars side, especially with the beefing up of the team with former Kotoko stars, Godfred Yeboah, Kwabena Dodzie, Daniel and Bomfah and Habib Mohammed.
Mr Rahman said all the various support groups of Wa All Stars from the other regions have started arriving in Wa for a special float today and appealed to all those who love Wa All Stars to come and support the team to victory.
The excitement that has gripped the Wa municipality over tomorrow’s Onetouch Premier League clash between Accra Hearts of Oak and Wa All Stars at the Wa sports stadium has led to an increase in the gate fees from GH¢2 to GH¢4 for the popular stand, with the fee for the VIP stand going up from GH¢3 to GH¢5.
Fans of the Wa club are leaving no stone unturned and have vowed to support their team right from the blast of the referee’s whistle to the end. To them the price hike would not discourage them from trooping to the stadium in their numbers to cheer their idol club.
Call it the talk of the town and you would not be mistaken as the everyday politics in the municipality has been relegated to the background because of the encounter. The song on the lips of many of All Stars supporters is that Hearts will leave Wa with a 2-0 deficit, but the few Hearts of Oak supporters in town have kept their cool, saying that they are waiting till Sunday “since the field would decide”.
All Stars have promised not to leave anything to chance as the second round gradually gathers momentum. This has also been buttressed by the Chairman of the club, Mr Yunusah Abdul Rahman, that the team was poised to avenge all the defeats it suffered in the first round of the league.
The much-publicised encounter is also expected to live up to its billing, especially as there is every indication that the stadium would attract one of the largest crowds since All Stars gained admission to the premiership.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the chairman of the club, Mr Abdul Rahman, assured supporters of both teams of maximum security, saying the current healthy rivalry in the municipality must be extended to the field of play.
He said All Stars were more than determined to win against all the teams they lost to in the first round and warned those teams to be on their guard.
Mr Rahman, who spoke with confidence, said Hearts of Oak would see a new look All Stars side, especially with the beefing up of the team with former Kotoko stars, Godfred Yeboah, Kwabena Dodzie, Daniel and Bomfah and Habib Mohammed.
Mr Rahman said all the various support groups of Wa All Stars from the other regions have started arriving in Wa for a special float today and appealed to all those who love Wa All Stars to come and support the team to victory.
Friday, May 2, 2008
HEADMASTER FAILS TO REGISTER 14 BECE CANDIDATES (PAGE 11)
Story: Chris Nunoo, Wa
THE future of 14 students of Nyagli Junior High School in the Wa municipality who wrote the just- ended Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is in the balance.
This is because of the failure of the headmaster of the school, Mr Abu K. Salifu, to register them after he allegedly collected various sums of money ranging from GH¢14 to GH¢18 as registration fees from them.
Mr Salifu, who was asked to report at the Wa Police Station after he had been reported to the police by one of the aggrieved candidates, was arrested and remanded in prison custody by a Wa District Magistrate’s Court presided over by Nana Alfred Rockson Kpodo.
He pleaded not guilty to a charge of defrauding by false pretence and is to reappear on May 13, 2008.
The Upper West Regional Police Commander, ACP Robert Ayalingo, who briefed the Daily Graphic, said the affected students were turned away when they went to the examination centre to write their examination.
That, he said, was because their names could not be traced in the register of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
Mr Ayalingo said six out of the 14 aggrieved candidates had so far reported the matter to the police.
The Wa Municipal Director of Education, Madam Scholastica Gyiele, confirmed the story and explained that the BECE candidates Mr Salifu should have registered were eight. However, her outfit later got to know that Mr Salifu had as many as 124 candidates, including the eight candidates from the Nyagli Junior High School.
“We did not know where he got the extra 116 candidates from”, she pointed out and said Mr Salifu even delayed the registration of the 124 students until her office intervened.
She said a relative of Mr Salifu later had to mobilise the money paid by the 124 students for the municipal education directorate to go ahead with the registration.
After the 124 candidates had been registered, Madam Gylele said, Mr Salifu still went round to collect money from other candidates with the assurance that he would register them for the BECE.
She said 14 students later reported at the examination centre on the first day of the BECE but when the officials looked through the WAEC registration records their names could not be found.
“Fortunately, Mr Salifu was around at the time the students came so we told the students to iron out the issue with him”, she said and added that the students later left the premises with Mr Salifu.
THE future of 14 students of Nyagli Junior High School in the Wa municipality who wrote the just- ended Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is in the balance.
This is because of the failure of the headmaster of the school, Mr Abu K. Salifu, to register them after he allegedly collected various sums of money ranging from GH¢14 to GH¢18 as registration fees from them.
Mr Salifu, who was asked to report at the Wa Police Station after he had been reported to the police by one of the aggrieved candidates, was arrested and remanded in prison custody by a Wa District Magistrate’s Court presided over by Nana Alfred Rockson Kpodo.
He pleaded not guilty to a charge of defrauding by false pretence and is to reappear on May 13, 2008.
The Upper West Regional Police Commander, ACP Robert Ayalingo, who briefed the Daily Graphic, said the affected students were turned away when they went to the examination centre to write their examination.
That, he said, was because their names could not be traced in the register of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
Mr Ayalingo said six out of the 14 aggrieved candidates had so far reported the matter to the police.
The Wa Municipal Director of Education, Madam Scholastica Gyiele, confirmed the story and explained that the BECE candidates Mr Salifu should have registered were eight. However, her outfit later got to know that Mr Salifu had as many as 124 candidates, including the eight candidates from the Nyagli Junior High School.
“We did not know where he got the extra 116 candidates from”, she pointed out and said Mr Salifu even delayed the registration of the 124 students until her office intervened.
She said a relative of Mr Salifu later had to mobilise the money paid by the 124 students for the municipal education directorate to go ahead with the registration.
After the 124 candidates had been registered, Madam Gylele said, Mr Salifu still went round to collect money from other candidates with the assurance that he would register them for the BECE.
She said 14 students later reported at the examination centre on the first day of the BECE but when the officials looked through the WAEC registration records their names could not be found.
“Fortunately, Mr Salifu was around at the time the students came so we told the students to iron out the issue with him”, she said and added that the students later left the premises with Mr Salifu.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Health directorate takes measures to reduce mortality
April 15
Story: Chris Nunoo, Tinniabmelle
THE Wa East District Directorate of Health Services is to undertake a vigorous campaign to reduce under-five mortality in the district.
It includes encouraging pregnant women to pay regular visits to health facilities for antenatal care, improving on institutional deliveries and regular monitoring of the growth of children.
The District Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Mr Joseph Bolibie, who made this known, expressed regret at the fact that the under-five mortality rate was still high in the region.
He, therefore, urged all institutions and stakeholders in the region to assist in achieving the objective.
Mr Bolibie entreated health personnel in the district to work hard to minimise the mortality rate from the present 208 deaths out of 1,000 births to at least 104 by the end of the year.
He urged all caregivers to remain vigilant and adopt child care and feeding practices to ensure the proper growth and development of children in the district.
Mr Bolibie also called for effective management and the early detection of diseases among children by health personnel.
“Hygienic practices like hand washing, for instance, will prevent diseases like diarrhoea and worm infestation which negatively affect children’s nutrition, growth and development,” he stressed.
The director of health services further advised fathers to support their wives in realising the noble objective.
The District Director of Agriculture, Mr David Waawula, stressed the importance of food in the survival and growth of mankind and consequently urged farmers to give their children fruits.
Story: Chris Nunoo, Tinniabmelle
THE Wa East District Directorate of Health Services is to undertake a vigorous campaign to reduce under-five mortality in the district.
It includes encouraging pregnant women to pay regular visits to health facilities for antenatal care, improving on institutional deliveries and regular monitoring of the growth of children.
The District Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Mr Joseph Bolibie, who made this known, expressed regret at the fact that the under-five mortality rate was still high in the region.
He, therefore, urged all institutions and stakeholders in the region to assist in achieving the objective.
Mr Bolibie entreated health personnel in the district to work hard to minimise the mortality rate from the present 208 deaths out of 1,000 births to at least 104 by the end of the year.
He urged all caregivers to remain vigilant and adopt child care and feeding practices to ensure the proper growth and development of children in the district.
Mr Bolibie also called for effective management and the early detection of diseases among children by health personnel.
“Hygienic practices like hand washing, for instance, will prevent diseases like diarrhoea and worm infestation which negatively affect children’s nutrition, growth and development,” he stressed.
The director of health services further advised fathers to support their wives in realising the noble objective.
The District Director of Agriculture, Mr David Waawula, stressed the importance of food in the survival and growth of mankind and consequently urged farmers to give their children fruits.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
NDC NADOWLI EAST ENDORSES PUOZAA (PAGE 17)
Story: Chris Nunoo, Issa
THE Nadowli East Constituency Branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has, by popular acclamation, endorsed Mr Mathias Puozaa as the parliamentary candidate for the constituency for the December elections.
The District Electoral Officer, Mr Razak Yidana, who later introduced Mr Puozaa to the gathering, also reminded the people of the upcoming voters registration exercise to be organised by the Electoral Commission (EC) in May this yearand urged all who were 18 and above and with sound mind to endeavour to take part in the exercise.
Mr Puozaa, who is the current Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency, expressed appreciation to the people for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to work to develop the area.
He told them that MPs did not carry out development projects but made laws for the people.
He said the MP’s Common Fund was inadequate and, therefore, could not be used to carry out capital development projects.
He promised to make the development of education in the constituency one of his major priorities, saying that in the past he had distributed dual desks, a number of exercise books, among other resources, to schools in the constituency.
The Upper West Regional Secretary of the party, Mr Kale Caesar, commended supporters of the party for holding the fort, even in times of difficulty, and urged them to work extra hard to bring the party back to power.
THE Nadowli East Constituency Branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has, by popular acclamation, endorsed Mr Mathias Puozaa as the parliamentary candidate for the constituency for the December elections.
The District Electoral Officer, Mr Razak Yidana, who later introduced Mr Puozaa to the gathering, also reminded the people of the upcoming voters registration exercise to be organised by the Electoral Commission (EC) in May this yearand urged all who were 18 and above and with sound mind to endeavour to take part in the exercise.
Mr Puozaa, who is the current Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency, expressed appreciation to the people for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to work to develop the area.
He told them that MPs did not carry out development projects but made laws for the people.
He said the MP’s Common Fund was inadequate and, therefore, could not be used to carry out capital development projects.
He promised to make the development of education in the constituency one of his major priorities, saying that in the past he had distributed dual desks, a number of exercise books, among other resources, to schools in the constituency.
The Upper West Regional Secretary of the party, Mr Kale Caesar, commended supporters of the party for holding the fort, even in times of difficulty, and urged them to work extra hard to bring the party back to power.
UDS-SRC PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ENDS IN RUN-OFF (PAGE 11)
STORY: CHRIS NUNOO, WA
THE Students Representative Council (SRC) elections of the Wa Campus of the University of Development Studies (UDS) for the
position of president ended inconclusively,necessitating a run-off whose date is yet to be fixed.
One of the contestants in the SRC presidency, Mr Naab S. A. Alphonse, obtained 1,151 of the total votes cast which represented 45.2 per cent while Mr Slamina Salifu D. Saibu had 429 votes representing 16.8 per cent.
The run-off became necessary because Alphonse was unable to gain 50 per cent plus one of the votes as stipulated in the constitution of the SRC.
Also slated for a run-off is the position of the local president of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) which was contested by six candidates, including Mr Abednego A. Elijah, who had 961 votes, representing 37.7 per cent.
The other close contestants in the NUGS race, Mr Alhassan M. Sherrif Deen, had 536 votes, representing 21.0 per cent.
The other contestants for the position of SRC president are Mr Tumyiredam Donald who had 392 votes which is 15.4 per cent. Mr Iddrisu A. Sadding had 58 votes which was 6.7 per cent, while Mr Abdulai Suweidu had 40 votes, being 1.5 per cent of the entire votes cast.
The challenge for the position of the local NUGS secretary turned out to be the most keenly contested as Mr Ziblim Amin won with two votes over Mr Justice Iddrisu Lambo.
Meanwhile all the other winners for various positions, apart from the SRC presidency, have been declared, with Mr Owusu Aboagye winning the SRC secretary.
The other winners are Mr Ziblim Amin, NUGS secretary, Miss Amadu Jaw-Harata, SRC treasurer, Mr Adam Abdull Rahmen, NUGS treasurer, and Miss Yogri Eunice, women’s commissioner.
The elections went on smoothly this time round but had to be postponed earlier on because of some misunderstanding between the student body and the UDS electoral commission.
THE Students Representative Council (SRC) elections of the Wa Campus of the University of Development Studies (UDS) for the
position of president ended inconclusively,necessitating a run-off whose date is yet to be fixed.
One of the contestants in the SRC presidency, Mr Naab S. A. Alphonse, obtained 1,151 of the total votes cast which represented 45.2 per cent while Mr Slamina Salifu D. Saibu had 429 votes representing 16.8 per cent.
The run-off became necessary because Alphonse was unable to gain 50 per cent plus one of the votes as stipulated in the constitution of the SRC.
Also slated for a run-off is the position of the local president of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) which was contested by six candidates, including Mr Abednego A. Elijah, who had 961 votes, representing 37.7 per cent.
The other close contestants in the NUGS race, Mr Alhassan M. Sherrif Deen, had 536 votes, representing 21.0 per cent.
The other contestants for the position of SRC president are Mr Tumyiredam Donald who had 392 votes which is 15.4 per cent. Mr Iddrisu A. Sadding had 58 votes which was 6.7 per cent, while Mr Abdulai Suweidu had 40 votes, being 1.5 per cent of the entire votes cast.
The challenge for the position of the local NUGS secretary turned out to be the most keenly contested as Mr Ziblim Amin won with two votes over Mr Justice Iddrisu Lambo.
Meanwhile all the other winners for various positions, apart from the SRC presidency, have been declared, with Mr Owusu Aboagye winning the SRC secretary.
The other winners are Mr Ziblim Amin, NUGS secretary, Miss Amadu Jaw-Harata, SRC treasurer, Mr Adam Abdull Rahmen, NUGS treasurer, and Miss Yogri Eunice, women’s commissioner.
The elections went on smoothly this time round but had to be postponed earlier on because of some misunderstanding between the student body and the UDS electoral commission.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
ONE thousand eight hundred people from seven communities in Brong Ahafo and some parts of the Northern Region will be affected by the construction of
March 25, 2008
Story: Chris Nunoo, Wechiau
CONTRACTORS working on various projects in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region are disappointing the district, Mr Daniel Dari, the District Chief Executive (DCE), has observed.
He said even though the district had honoured its financial requirements to all the contractors, many of the projects were moving at a snail’s pace.
Mr Dari expressed the concern when he was addressing the second ordinary meeting of the third session of the assembly at Wechiau, the district capital.
He mentioned some of the projects as the drilling of boreholes and the construction of roads in the district, especially the Ga-Wechiau and the Wechiau township roads.
“Any contractor who claims not to have been paid would be telling lies,” the DCE stated, and appealed to the contractors to facilitate work on their respective projects.
Touching on revenue mobilisation, Mr Dari called for co-operation between the people and the revenue collectors in order to improve revenue generation.
He urged members of the assembly to make a critical evaluation of the revenue performance of the district in the past year to check leakage and also explore new avenues to increase the revenue base of the district.
Mr Dari stated that 45 communities in the district which were affected by the floods last year had so far been supplied with various relief items.
He said the distribution of the relief items was still ongoing, and therefore assured the affected communities that they would have their share in due course.
Mr Dari stressed the need for total transformation in the educational sector in the district, adding that more classroom blocks would be constructed.
He said he would ensure that the only senior high school in the district was connected to electricity to enhance the commencement of computer studies, which is compulsory under the new educational reform.
For his part, the Presiding Member of the District Assembly, Mr Karaawo Crispin, urged the assembly members to work harder and come up with decisions which would go a long way to benefit the entire district.
Story: Chris Nunoo, Wechiau
CONTRACTORS working on various projects in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region are disappointing the district, Mr Daniel Dari, the District Chief Executive (DCE), has observed.
He said even though the district had honoured its financial requirements to all the contractors, many of the projects were moving at a snail’s pace.
Mr Dari expressed the concern when he was addressing the second ordinary meeting of the third session of the assembly at Wechiau, the district capital.
He mentioned some of the projects as the drilling of boreholes and the construction of roads in the district, especially the Ga-Wechiau and the Wechiau township roads.
“Any contractor who claims not to have been paid would be telling lies,” the DCE stated, and appealed to the contractors to facilitate work on their respective projects.
Touching on revenue mobilisation, Mr Dari called for co-operation between the people and the revenue collectors in order to improve revenue generation.
He urged members of the assembly to make a critical evaluation of the revenue performance of the district in the past year to check leakage and also explore new avenues to increase the revenue base of the district.
Mr Dari stated that 45 communities in the district which were affected by the floods last year had so far been supplied with various relief items.
He said the distribution of the relief items was still ongoing, and therefore assured the affected communities that they would have their share in due course.
Mr Dari stressed the need for total transformation in the educational sector in the district, adding that more classroom blocks would be constructed.
He said he would ensure that the only senior high school in the district was connected to electricity to enhance the commencement of computer studies, which is compulsory under the new educational reform.
For his part, the Presiding Member of the District Assembly, Mr Karaawo Crispin, urged the assembly members to work harder and come up with decisions which would go a long way to benefit the entire district.
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