Story: Chris Nunoo, Wa
A 37-YEAR-OLD truck pusher, Rufai Mohammed, a native of Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region, has been arrested by the Wa police for allegedly murdering a 15-year-old class six pupil of the Tanvere Methodist Primary School.
Rufai, who doubles as a tailor, was said to have travelled from Techiman to Balenfili Tugdo, a village near Wechau in the Wa West District, to carry out the act.
Sources close to the Upper West regional police told the Daily Graphic that Rufai, on arrival in the village, managed to convince the mother of Faawun Tieru, the victim, to allow her son to accompany him (Rufai) to the house of the chief of the village to spend the night.
The source said when the two reached the outskirts of the village, Rufai, without any provocation, allegedly murdered Faawun.
It said when after a while Faawun was not coming back home, his mother became worried and decided to follow up to find out what had kept him from returning home.
The source said on her way, the mother found the body of Faawun lying by the shoulder of the road.
It said she raised alarm, which attracted other people to the spot and a search party was quickly mobilised to trace Rufai but to no avail.
The source said Rufai resurfaced at Wechau the next day and he was identified and arrested by the people and subsequently handed over to the police.
The police source said Rufai was still being interrogated by the police while the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Wa Regional Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
CONDEMN RUNNING OS SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME (PAGE 11)
Story: Chris Nunoo, Wa
THE Deputy Upper West Regional Co-ordinating Director, Alhaji Isshaque Alhassan, has called on Ghanaians to condemn the way the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) is being managed and offer alternative solutions to the problems facing it.
This, he said was because the school feeding concept was very good, especially because it had positively impacted on school enrolment, improved nutrition and helped to develop education in general.
He has therefore, stressed the need for people to appreciate the idea behind the programme and help to improve and sustain it.
Alhaji Alhassan was speaking at a regional interface meeting of civil society and stakeholders of the GSFP at Wa, in the Upper West Region.
It was organised by Send Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, and it was aimed at bringing to the fore, problems associated with the GSFP in the region.
‘The School Feeding Programme is a good concept, despite the loopholes, but we do not have to throw the baby away with the bad water”, he said, adding that, Ghanaians must make the programme succeed.
For his part, the Country Director of Send Foundation, Mr Samuel Zan, said the meeting was neither meant to find faults with individuals nor institutions but to assess and evaluate the impact of the GSFP policy on school children.
He said the foundation was an advocate of the GSFP programme and was only interested in making the programme work.
Mr Zan therefore, expressed regret at the absence of the Upper West Regional Co-odinator of the GSFP at the meeting and commended representatives of other organisations who were present.
He said Ghanaians had the responsibility to ensure that the school feeding programme achieved the desired objectives.
THE Deputy Upper West Regional Co-ordinating Director, Alhaji Isshaque Alhassan, has called on Ghanaians to condemn the way the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) is being managed and offer alternative solutions to the problems facing it.
This, he said was because the school feeding concept was very good, especially because it had positively impacted on school enrolment, improved nutrition and helped to develop education in general.
He has therefore, stressed the need for people to appreciate the idea behind the programme and help to improve and sustain it.
Alhaji Alhassan was speaking at a regional interface meeting of civil society and stakeholders of the GSFP at Wa, in the Upper West Region.
It was organised by Send Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, and it was aimed at bringing to the fore, problems associated with the GSFP in the region.
‘The School Feeding Programme is a good concept, despite the loopholes, but we do not have to throw the baby away with the bad water”, he said, adding that, Ghanaians must make the programme succeed.
For his part, the Country Director of Send Foundation, Mr Samuel Zan, said the meeting was neither meant to find faults with individuals nor institutions but to assess and evaluate the impact of the GSFP policy on school children.
He said the foundation was an advocate of the GSFP programme and was only interested in making the programme work.
Mr Zan therefore, expressed regret at the absence of the Upper West Regional Co-odinator of the GSFP at the meeting and commended representatives of other organisations who were present.
He said Ghanaians had the responsibility to ensure that the school feeding programme achieved the desired objectives.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
REFEREE AGGREY NEARLY SPOILT DAY AT WA (G/SPORTS. PAGE 16)
STORY: CHRIS NUNOO, WA
The much talked-about premier league match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Wa All Stars lived up to its billing, but with much tension and expectations from both sides.
However, the beauty of the match was nearly marred as Tarkwa-based referee T.K. Aggrey and his men intermittently came up with some contentious decisions which led to his heckling by players of Accra Hearts of Oak when the only goal of the match was scored by Daniel Bomfah in the 72nd minute for Wa All Stars.
That notwithstanding, Hearts of Oak who many thought could make mince meat of the Wa club following the 3-0 defeat they handed All Stars in the first round, coupled with Hearts’ current win over Tema Real Sportive, failed to silence the fans in Wa after travelling all the way from Accra with a special jet to the Upper West region.
Wa All Stars proved to be very tough customers for the champion club to the extent that Hearts’ newly-found Israeli coach could hardly find the brakes to stop the All Stars attacking machine spearheaded by the fast running Issah Saliu, Ishmael Fridos and Daniel Bomfah.
The new-look All Stars side played according to the instructions of coach Emmanuel Quarshie and matched their opponents squarely from the begining of ht match. But when all seemed like the match was heading for an even fight, one of the recently recruited players for All Stars, Daniel Bomfah, did what mattered most by sloting the ball home for the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute; The players of Hearts, led by their skipper Issah Mohammed to protest briefly that the goal was a handball.
Speaking to the Graphic Sports in a post-match interview, an elated coach, Emmanuel Quarshie did not agree with the players of Hearts but commended his boys for a job well done and sounded a word of caution to all visiting teams to the Wa Sports stadium that All Stars were not prepared to relinquish even a single point at their home ground in the second round of the Onetouch Premier League. He appealed to the supporters of the club to exercise patience when the going gets tough and support the team to acheive more feats.
The much talked-about premier league match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Wa All Stars lived up to its billing, but with much tension and expectations from both sides.
However, the beauty of the match was nearly marred as Tarkwa-based referee T.K. Aggrey and his men intermittently came up with some contentious decisions which led to his heckling by players of Accra Hearts of Oak when the only goal of the match was scored by Daniel Bomfah in the 72nd minute for Wa All Stars.
That notwithstanding, Hearts of Oak who many thought could make mince meat of the Wa club following the 3-0 defeat they handed All Stars in the first round, coupled with Hearts’ current win over Tema Real Sportive, failed to silence the fans in Wa after travelling all the way from Accra with a special jet to the Upper West region.
Wa All Stars proved to be very tough customers for the champion club to the extent that Hearts’ newly-found Israeli coach could hardly find the brakes to stop the All Stars attacking machine spearheaded by the fast running Issah Saliu, Ishmael Fridos and Daniel Bomfah.
The new-look All Stars side played according to the instructions of coach Emmanuel Quarshie and matched their opponents squarely from the begining of ht match. But when all seemed like the match was heading for an even fight, one of the recently recruited players for All Stars, Daniel Bomfah, did what mattered most by sloting the ball home for the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute; The players of Hearts, led by their skipper Issah Mohammed to protest briefly that the goal was a handball.
Speaking to the Graphic Sports in a post-match interview, an elated coach, Emmanuel Quarshie did not agree with the players of Hearts but commended his boys for a job well done and sounded a word of caution to all visiting teams to the Wa Sports stadium that All Stars were not prepared to relinquish even a single point at their home ground in the second round of the Onetouch Premier League. He appealed to the supporters of the club to exercise patience when the going gets tough and support the team to acheive more feats.
10 NADOWLI COMMUNITIES TO GET BOREHOLES (PAGE 20)
Story: Chris Nunoo, Nadowli
TEN communities in the Nadowli District in the Upper West Region are to be provided with boreholes as part of measures to solve their perennial water problems and to also improve sanitation in the region.
The beneficiary communities include Bouyiri, Zimbogu, Gbanko, Eale, Loho-Guo and Dunjan.
Known as the Global Water Initiative of the Catholic Relief Service (CRS) the project will include the provision of new boreholes as well as the maintenance of existing ones.
The Nadowli District Chief Executive (DCE), Wing Commander (retd) Eric Dakurah, who made this known, said when the deal was done, the district would begin to manage its own water sources.
Wing Commander Dakurah, who was addressing the first ordinary meeting of the assembly this year at Nadowli, also announced the construction of 240 household latrines under a hygiene and sanitation programme.
Throwing more light on the construction of the household latrines, Mr Dakurah explained that all the beneficiary communities were to contribute 50 per cent of the project cost by way of communal labour, while the Assembly would contribute the remaining 50 per cent.
Touching on the development of education in the district, the DCE said the district was vigorously improving infrastructure and furniture, among other things, to attract more children to the schools in the area.
He commended the District Education Directorate for its efforts at uplifting education in the district, stressing that "the district was ranked first in the region in the 2007 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)."
The Presiding Member of the Assembly, Madam Hycintha Abatu Gyang, charged the Assembly members to endeavour to pay regular visits to their electoral areas to know at first-hand the problems confronting the people.
She also urged them to unite and accommodate one another as they worked to move the district forward.
TEN communities in the Nadowli District in the Upper West Region are to be provided with boreholes as part of measures to solve their perennial water problems and to also improve sanitation in the region.
The beneficiary communities include Bouyiri, Zimbogu, Gbanko, Eale, Loho-Guo and Dunjan.
Known as the Global Water Initiative of the Catholic Relief Service (CRS) the project will include the provision of new boreholes as well as the maintenance of existing ones.
The Nadowli District Chief Executive (DCE), Wing Commander (retd) Eric Dakurah, who made this known, said when the deal was done, the district would begin to manage its own water sources.
Wing Commander Dakurah, who was addressing the first ordinary meeting of the assembly this year at Nadowli, also announced the construction of 240 household latrines under a hygiene and sanitation programme.
Throwing more light on the construction of the household latrines, Mr Dakurah explained that all the beneficiary communities were to contribute 50 per cent of the project cost by way of communal labour, while the Assembly would contribute the remaining 50 per cent.
Touching on the development of education in the district, the DCE said the district was vigorously improving infrastructure and furniture, among other things, to attract more children to the schools in the area.
He commended the District Education Directorate for its efforts at uplifting education in the district, stressing that "the district was ranked first in the region in the 2007 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)."
The Presiding Member of the Assembly, Madam Hycintha Abatu Gyang, charged the Assembly members to endeavour to pay regular visits to their electoral areas to know at first-hand the problems confronting the people.
She also urged them to unite and accommodate one another as they worked to move the district forward.
PAY ATTENTION TO DRY SEASON FARMING — DEBRAH (PAGE 20)
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)