UPPER WEST REGION BENEFITS FROM PREVAILING PEACE (PAGE 22, DEC 31)

The relative peace being enjoyed in the Upper West Region is gradually yielding results as a number of international non-governmental organisations are gradually setting up offices in Wa, the regional capital.
Apart from Plan Ghana and ActionAid, the latest to do so is the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV).
SNV is an international development organisation with its headquarters based in The Hague, Netherlands and operating in 33 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
Out of this number, 17 are in Africa.
In Ghana, the SNV operates in Ho, Accra , Takoradi, Tamale and Wa and has as its mission, being dedicated to a society where all people enjoy the freedom to pursue their own sustainable development.
Apart from increasing its presence in Northern Ghana, SNV’s opening of the Upper West regional office is also to increase its relevance to the national poverty reduction effort and improve cost-effectiveness in service delivery. This decision was based on an assessment of the existing and potential demand for capacity development advisory services.
As a result of this a conclusion was reached based on the high success level and growth potential of SNV’s limited initiatives in the region, fusing SNV’s and Ghana’s strategic and thematic focus on the development needs of the Upper West Region and the receptiveness of political and administrative structures in the region.
The regional office has the mandate to deliver support to organisations in all the nine regions and nearby districts of Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Bole districts in the Northern Region on a number of thematic areas.
These include primary education, primary healthcare, production, income generation and employment.
In the area of primary education SNV seeks to improve quality and access to education by improving planning and management, deployment of teachers at the district level by supporting and facilitating result-oriented educational planning and coordinating multiple stakeholders action for plan implementation.
It also seeks to link the School Feeding Programme to agricultural production at the community level, improve communication between key stakeholders in education at the regional and district level and explore direct links to district educational establishments to improve access to primary education.
Under healthcare, the organisation aims at promoting access to quality healthcare by supporting the National Health Insurance Scheme and service providers and improving good governance of the scheme with the view to increasing efficiency and effectiveness, participation, accountability and equity.
The SNV also explores opportunities in the area of maternal and child health care through strengthening structures under the Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHIPS) strategy.
Furthermore, the SNV is working to improve production incomes and employment for the rural poor with emphasis on the integration of access to finance and entrepreneurship in its value chains, market linkages, facilitating multi-stakeholder processes to influencing the development of a national policy and strategy for sheanuts production.
In short, the SNV Ghana sees inter-linkages in its positioning choices, that is, health and education at the heart of socio-economic development.
According to the Wa office manager, Mr Chris Bakawere, for over 35 years the SNV has pursued its mission through direct project implementation by providing funds, technical services, logistics and infrastructure for organisations, whether governmental or not, all aimed at supporting national development.
He said since 2000, the SNV had changed its mode of operation and no longer engaged in direct project implementation.
“Experiences in 35 years of delivering technical assistance has taught the SNV that in its classical form, technical assistance has real and potential limitation and side effects. It may erode indigenous knowledge, spirit of self – organisations, sense of ownership, commitment and independent action of local actors,” he added.
Mr Bakawere explained that technical assistance undermined the independence of the very actors it sought to assist and had the tendency to sustain dependency and inequalities.
“We have realised that our good intentions to reduce poverty have not touched the underlying failing systems and power imbalances that fuel and perpetuate poverty hence these learning experiences have led to the changing visions in our work and role, ” he told the Daily Graphic.
With this, the SNV currently approaches poverty reduction through delivering capacity development advisory services since there are a lot of local development agencies working at the community level with high potential but with limited ability to deliver on their mandates. This is not only because of funding and logistical challenges but also due to issues related to governance, organisational development, formation and networking, mentoring, guidance, knowledge and skills.
Mr Bakawere summed the vision of his organisation as “the development goal and objective of SNV Ghana, since 1992 when we came into the country has been to contribute to good governance and poverty reduction as articulated in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the key national policy documents that define our national development priorities such as the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy II (GPRS).”

24 FILE TO CONTEST NPP ELECTIONS IN UPPER WEST IPAGE 14, DEC 28)

TWENTY-four people from all the ethnic groups in the Upper West Region have filed their nominations to vie for the top positions of the regional branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Since the close of nominations last weekend, the race has become keener and more exciting with the contestants having their campaigns on the doorstep of would-be delegates.
Significantly, even though the NPP is not in power, this year’s race for the regional executive positions has attracted a lot of enthusiastic youth, many of whom have thrown their weight behind the various candidates and are even on their campaign trails, helping to sell the messages of the respective candidates to the delegates.
Tomorrow December 29, 2009, delegates numbering 204 drawn from members of TESCON and elders of the party in the region, and the candidates themselves, will come together to elect their representatives to lead the party in the coming years.
One of the positions which many expect to be very keenly contested is that of the regional chairman which the current indefatigable chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Abdul Rahman Short, a businessman, who has been able to win three parliamentary seats for the NPP in the region, is predicted by many to retain. He has two contenders, namely a former Ghana Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Mr Mogtari Sahanoon, and Mr Eddy Kaleonaa Tizzala, also a businessman.
For the position of first vice-chairman, a former Sissala West District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Ismail Madah, a bursar Mr Bawah Bismark, and Mr Abubakari Bawa are contesting. To the pundits, it is a race in which any of the three candidates could carry the day.
For the second vice-chairman position, Mr Hafiz Bin Salih, who is presently the regional youth organiser, has been tipped to win the seat, taking into consideration his achievements as a youth organiser.
Mr Bin Salih is, therefore, enjoying massive support, especially from the youth. He is being challenged by a businessman, Mr David Kandoh.
Subsequently, the seat of the incumbent Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Abu Tamah Tony, which has been described as one of the hottest seats in the region also has very competent and affable members of the NPP rubbing shoulders.
They are the incumbent Secretary, Mr Tamah Tony, a former special assistant in former President Kufuor’s administration and currently a lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS); Mr Stephen Yir-Eru Engmen and Mr Yussif Yakubu Sungumo, an accounts clerk at the Islamic Hospital in Wa.
The race is, however, said to be between Mr Engmen and Mr Tamah Tony. Messrs Mumuni Baba Seidu and Nankpa A. Osman are also contesting the Assistant Secretary positions in an all-educationists affair.
Following closely in the race is the position of Regional Organiser in which Messrs Abraham Bankpanla, Angmaawine Siita and Edward Dombo, an administrative assistant, the current Assistant Regional Secretary and an educationist respectively are challenging each other.
All the candidates are said to be well on the ground and, therefore, none of them is taking things for granted.
For the women, there are only two options, which are to either endorse Madam Helen Bangonluuri, who is the incumbent Women’s Organiser or introduce Madam Martha Kumbal to continue from where Madam Bangonluuri would leave off.
The Regional Youth Organiser and treasurer positions have six men who have over the years supported the NPP and worked in many capacities to ensure the growth of the party in the region. The include Messrs Mustapha Dimah Govier, a businessman; Mujeeb Rahman and Mr Issahaque Murtada, all educationists, while Mr Dudu Philip, an accounts clerk; Mr Salifu Waah, a former DCE, and Mr Issahaque Tiffere, a student, are also going for the position of Treasurer.

NDC MUST MANAGE DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES WELL — CHIREH (PAGE 16, DEC 22)

THE Upper West regional delegates conference of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) finally came off successfully in Wa over the weekend, with a call on members to begin to manage the democratic processes in the party very well in order not to sow seeds of division among themselves.
The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, who gave the advice, said, “Now the playground has changed and so it is not like in the 1990s when people were told to step down during elections and they did that quietly”.
In an apparent reference to events which preceded the conference, thereby compelling some gurus of the party to be up in arms against Mr Matthew Sung- Aabo, also known as Matco, when he decided to contest the incumbent chairman, Alhaji Malik Issahaque, Mr Yieleh Chireh urged members, particularly the leadership of the party, to respect the structures provided in the constitution of the party to ensure that every member of the party got his or her due.
He was, however, happy that in spite of the initial skirmishes, members were able to come to a consensus on the withdrawal of Mr Sung-Aabo and others, to pave the way for the peaceful and successful conduct of the conference.
“Please, nobody should be made to feel excluded; we have to look at inclusiveness. There is the need for a united front  and so let’s talk about issues and those who can do the work, not ethnic politics,” Mr Yieleh Chireh cautioned and advised members to work to strengthen the structures of the party.
Elections were conducted for the positions of only the deputy regional secretary, youth organiser and women organiser with the other candidates being endorsed unanimously.
As a result, Alhaji Malik Issahaque still remains the Regional Chairman of the NDC with Alhaji Issahaque Natornaa and Mr Geoffrey Baduon Dudiam as the Vice Chairpersons. Mr Eric Dakura was endorsed as the secretary while Mr Dominic Zineyel was elected as the Deputy Secretary.
The rest are Messrs Adams Issahaque, Regional Organiser; Bayong Bin Yussif, Deputy Organiser; Joseph Natu, Treasurer; Kojo Sumba Wiera, Deputy Treasurer;  Yahaya Yakubu, Propaganda Secretary, and Stephen Kpen, Deputy Propaganda Secretary.
They were sworn in by the Deputy National Propaganda Secretary of the NDC, Madam Ladi Ayi Ayamba.
Earlier, the immediate past Regional Secretary of the party and current Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Caesar Kale, expressed his profound gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the party during the 2008 general election.
He mentioned, for instance, the role and contributions of the constituency executives, party foot soldiers and more especially the media in the region for their professionalism and called for similar support during President Mills’s administration.
Touching on some of the issues of concern, Mr Kale proposed that the Propaganda Secretary position of the party be renamed “Information and Research Directorate since the word propaganda sent the wrong signals.
He was also of the view that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party should institute measures to take care of the concerns of the party foot soldiers in order to untie the party hierarchy from government.
Mr Kale further appealed to all the supporters of the party to unite and rally behind the government as it prepared the grounds to achieve the “Better Ghana” it promised.
Other speakers at the function were the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, and a Member of the Council of State, Alhaji Naa Seidu Braimah.

ALL STARS BEAT NEW EDUBIASE (BACK PAGE, DEC 21)

A spirited first half perfomance by Wa All Stars propelled them to collect the three maximum points against a resilient New Edubiase side in their Glo Premier League match played at the Wa stadium yesterday.
Diminutive Seidu Shaibu Zida drew first blood in the eighth minute for the home side when he slowly planted the ball past good old James Nanor, who together with his defenders, were caught ball-watching after a throw-in into the vital area of New Edubiase.
However, the visitors did not allow the early goal to unsettle them as they quickly reorganised and kept the pressure on the homesters. It was during one of these incursions that a quick ball from Nanor saw Eric Fordjour controlling the ball well and quickly putting it behind onrushing Robert Dabuo in post for All Stars in the 12th minute.
From then on it was a game of equals until a Daniel Bomfah deflection from a Nortey Frank Sowah shot in the 19th minute sealed the doom of the visitors.

CEPS IMPOUNDS UNCUSTOMED CIGARETES...At Bonda in Wa East Distric (PAGE 16, DEC 16)

FORTY-FIVE cartons of Gold Seal cigarettes, with a duty value of GH¢9,350, have been impounded at Bonaa in the Wa East District in a police and the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) collaboration.
The cigarettes were allegedly being smuggled from Kulebi, near Kalba, a Northern Region town bordering Cote d’Ivoire.
Those arrested in the operation are Abubakar Abdullai, 24, Majid Iddrisu, 42, both traders, and Siita Mahama, a galamsey operator.
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Upper West Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Alex Bedie, said CEPS officials on duty at Kulmasa on December 10, 2009 were privy to information that some people were transporting goods through some unapproved routes from Cote d’Ivoire into the country.
He said when the consignment got into Ghana, the alleged smugglers passed through Lassie via Ga in the Wa West District before crossing over onto the Wa–Kumasi road through to Bonaa in the Wa East District.
At that time, Mr Bedie said, the CEPS officials were trailing the vehicle conveying the cigarettes.
He said on arrival at Bonaa with the consignment, the suspects quickly unloaded the goods and took to their heels but the CEPS officials were able to arrest Abdulai.
He said CEPS informed the police, who later dispatched the goods to the head office of CEPS to unload.
Upon interrogation, Abdulai admitted that he had been doing the business for some time now.
Abdulai again told the police that he was engaged by Iddrisu to help transport the cigarettes from Kulebi into Bonaa.
He said they then chartered the KIA truck, with registration number UE 98 R, which was being driven by one Abu Mahama, who is at large to convey the goods to Wa.
Mr Bedie said further investigations by the police led to the arrest of Majid Iddrisu, who claimed he was a dealer in cigarettes in Wa.

UNEASY CALM IN UPPER WEST NDC (PAGE 16, DEC 16)

THE call for change in the hierarchy of the Upper West Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has angered some party gurus in the region, including Members of Parliament (MPs).
The latest to join the fray is the MP for Jirapa, Dr Francis Bawaana Dakurah, who has lashed out at those calling for change.
Ever since Mr Mathew Sung-Aabo, also known as Matco, declared his intention of challenging the incumbent Regional Chairman, Mr Malik Issahaque, a businessman who has been in office for the past 17 years, it has resulted in an uneasy calm among the party faithful across the region.
They have accused Matco of playing politics along ethnic lines, which has been described by the party gurus as “baseless and dangerous”.
Previously, positions in the party were distributed to appease the major ethnic groups in the region.
The announcement by Matco is seen as an act of betrayal, in bad faith and a show of “disrespect”.
Mr Issahaque is seen as a father figure who, for the past years, has laid down his life for the growth and consolidation of the NDC.
While supporters of Matco are calling for a new face and vision to propel the party to a different height, the supporters of the incumbent chairman are arguing that Matco’s group is a Mafia which must not be tolerated, Matco has the democratic right to contest.
Matco’s group has been accused of fielding candidates who are from Nadowli, who are predominantly Dagabas. Issahaque has Wala and Dagaba parentage but he was born and bred in Wa.
It is against this background that Dr Dakurah held a press conference to state his position on the seeming conflict in the party in the region.
Addressing the press conference at the GNAT Hall in Wa, the MP for Jirapa said any member of the party was free, if only qualified, to contest any election in the party.
He said the Upper West Region had only one ethnic group and that is “all the ethnic groups in the region”.
He declared his support for Alhaji Issahaque and called on all party members to do same.
On recent events in the party, Dr Dakurah said former President Rawlings, like any other past leader of the country, was appreciated by all.
“We all have different approaches of seeing things and so when President Rawlings says something, he has the right to do so,” he pointed out.
He said there were no cracks in the NDC, except that sometimes people used the wrong platform and approach to put their views across.
“In my opinion, Mrs Rawlings should let go her intention to contest as national vice-chairperson of the NDC and rather sit back as a mother, just like President Rawlings who has been playing a fatherly role since he left power,” Dr Dakurah noted.
He called on all Ghanaians to rally behind the Mills government as it worked to improve the lot of the people.
Come Saturday, December 19, 2009, the NDC in the Upper West would hold its delegates conference and, unlike on previous occasions when the leadership of the party ensured that the positions were spread across the length and breadth of the region, the opposition by Matco and the other contestants, all from Nadowli, is seen as a step to change the status quo and make the congress more interesting and very competitive.

GHANA TO RECEIVE H1N1 VACCINES FROM WHO (BACK PAGE, DEC 16)

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) is to supply Ghana with 2.4 million doses of H1N1 vaccines in February 2010 as a contingency measure to deal with reported cases of the influenza.
When delivered, the vaccines will benefit only 10 per cent of the country’s population. They will be given to health workers, community-based surveillance volunteers, pregnant women, security personnel at the borders and people with chronic ailments whose immune systems are very weak.
The Upper West Regional Disaster Surveillance Officer of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Mr Jacob Kojo Aleeba, who gave the hint, said the country was yet to come up with any form of vaccine to counter the pandemic in case of an unexpected outbreak.
“The vaccines are not on our market. They are also very expensive and so even if one has the money, it will be difficult getting them,” he stated.
Mr Aleeba was speaking at a day’s sensitisation workshop on H1N1 influenza in Wa.
The workshop was organised by the GHS for representatives from various media houses, the security agencies and some health workers.
On the outbreak of cerebro-spinal meningitis (CSM), he said the health directorate did not have any vaccine to combat the disease and was working tirelessly to prevent its total occurrence in the region.
He, therefore, entreated the populace to sleep in well-ventilated rooms and take in more water when the heat set in early next year.
In a presentation, the Medical Officer in charge of the Nandom Hospital, Dr Richard Seme-Wodah, pointed out that the region was yet to record any case of the H1N1 influenza since its outbreak.
He, however, added that in the case of suspected cases of the influenza, samples had been taken from victims to be tested, saying, “With the onset of the harmattan, we are likely to have cases of the H1N1 in this region.”
He mentioned some of the symptoms that led to early detection of the pandemic as sore throat, coughing and sneezing.
Dr Seme-Wodah , therefore, stressed the need for a thorough public sensitisation to the H1N1 pandemic, adding, “We must observe stringent hygienic practices, such as the regular washing of hands, the use of tissue when sneezing and coughing, among other measures.”