THE Upper West Regional Minister designate, Mr Mahmud Khalid, has promised to make youth issues and the development of women in the region his major priority.
To that end, he said he would mobilise the youth in particular to go into farming, specifically rice cultivation, explaining that this would generate employment, ensure food security and reduce poverty.
Mr Khalid, who was speaking in an interview in Wa, also said he would institute measurers geared towards developing the skills of the youth for them to be able to undertake long-term profit-generating ventures.
Commenting on the state of the region as he aspired to be the regional minister, Mr Khalid said, "The region is completely divided. I would, therefore, work to unite the chiefs and people with regard to issues bordering on chieftaincy disputes, politics, religion and ethnicity.”
He said it was time people saw one another as people from the region so that "we can work together to develop the region".
On education, the President's nominee said increasing infrastructure in the educational sector would see more children of school age having access to education.
He, therefore, indicated his readiness to see to the construction of more classrooms and also promised to seek support from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and other private organisations to assist in the construction of hostel facilities for students of the Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) and the Wa Polytechnic.
On what he expected from incoming municipal and district chief executives, Mr Khalid said they must be development oriented.
He advised them to see themselves as servants of the people, saying, "People have become more sophisticated and so if you try to lord it over them you will not get what you want."
The regional minister designate also stressed the need for a healthy relationship with the media as he tried to carry out his vision for the region.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
5 TO CONTEST COUNCIL OF STATE IN UPPER WEST (PAGE 14)
Five personalities have filed their nominations to contest the position of members of Council of State under the current political administration.
When elected, the winner would represent the Upper West Region on the council.
They are Messrs William Gangner, a former civil servant and diplomat, Paschal Baylon Dere, a development worker, who is contesting for the third time after partaking in the contest in 2001 and 2005.
Others are Naa Seidu Bhat Braimah (Guli Naa), a teacher and traditional ruler, the current president of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs and Dorimon Naa, Naa S. D. Gore, as well as the former President of the Regional House of Chiefs and the immediate past member of the council of state from the region, Kuoro Kuri Bukte Limann IV.
The race this time could turn out to be very intriguing as the track records of some of the contestants could raise the stakes.
Many observers in the region are of the view that Mr. Paschal Baylon Dere, who is contesting for the third time may be lucky just like the current President J.E.A. Mills. They also see, Mr. Dere to be a role model to the youth in the region and would be more accessible as against some of the traditional rulers whose status is seen to be too high to be approached.
There are those who also think that it is time to blend the Council of State with some youthful members in order to balance the equation.
The Upper West Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr. Yahaya Mahama, told the Daily Graphic, that the election was initially fixed to take place on February 10, 2009 but it could be postponed. He however, could not give reasons for the postponement.
Meanwhile, the Daily Graphic gathered that all the contestants were on the ground trying to woo some of the electorate, who were representatives from the various district assemblies, to their side in order to enhance their chances.
When elected, the winner would represent the Upper West Region on the council.
They are Messrs William Gangner, a former civil servant and diplomat, Paschal Baylon Dere, a development worker, who is contesting for the third time after partaking in the contest in 2001 and 2005.
Others are Naa Seidu Bhat Braimah (Guli Naa), a teacher and traditional ruler, the current president of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs and Dorimon Naa, Naa S. D. Gore, as well as the former President of the Regional House of Chiefs and the immediate past member of the council of state from the region, Kuoro Kuri Bukte Limann IV.
The race this time could turn out to be very intriguing as the track records of some of the contestants could raise the stakes.
Many observers in the region are of the view that Mr. Paschal Baylon Dere, who is contesting for the third time may be lucky just like the current President J.E.A. Mills. They also see, Mr. Dere to be a role model to the youth in the region and would be more accessible as against some of the traditional rulers whose status is seen to be too high to be approached.
There are those who also think that it is time to blend the Council of State with some youthful members in order to balance the equation.
The Upper West Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr. Yahaya Mahama, told the Daily Graphic, that the election was initially fixed to take place on February 10, 2009 but it could be postponed. He however, could not give reasons for the postponement.
Meanwhile, the Daily Graphic gathered that all the contestants were on the ground trying to woo some of the electorate, who were representatives from the various district assemblies, to their side in order to enhance their chances.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
ALL STARS, KOTOKO DRAW (BACK PAGE) JAN 19
A 75th minute header from Stephen Manu eased the pressure off Kumasi Asante Kotoko as they managed to hold Wa All Stars 1-1 in their seventh week Glo Premier League match played at the Wa stadium yesterday.
Kotoko, who are struggling to defend the league title they won last season, could hardly string their passes together and in many instances passed the ball to their opponents.
With much of the ball being played in midfield for a greater part of the match, the two teams held each other in check until the 21st minute when slippery Issah Salihu of All Stars was brought down in the Kotoko 18 yard box. The resultant spot kick was beautifully converted by Daniel Bomfah.
Kotoko reorganised themselves and made some incursions into the area of All Stars. One of such attacks saw Louis Quainoo’s shot being connected with a header by Stephen Manu for the equaliser.
Kotoko, who are struggling to defend the league title they won last season, could hardly string their passes together and in many instances passed the ball to their opponents.
With much of the ball being played in midfield for a greater part of the match, the two teams held each other in check until the 21st minute when slippery Issah Salihu of All Stars was brought down in the Kotoko 18 yard box. The resultant spot kick was beautifully converted by Daniel Bomfah.
Kotoko reorganised themselves and made some incursions into the area of All Stars. One of such attacks saw Louis Quainoo’s shot being connected with a header by Stephen Manu for the equaliser.
Friday, January 16, 2009
NPP NOT SHAKEN BY DEFEAT — AKUFO-ADDO (PAGE 15)
THE flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2008 presidential elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has assured the teeming supporters of the party they are not shaken by the defeat inflicted on it by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and that come 2012, the NPP will be back in power.
"Where we are now is not the limit, the sky is the limit. The future of this country lies in the hands of the NPP. Therefore, remain united and be steadfast as the party continues to move forward," Nana Akufo-Addo advised.
Nana Akufo-Addo, who was accompanied on the trip by some leading members of the party, including Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo, Boakye Agyarko, Arthur Kennedy and Mustapha Abdul Hamid, his spokesperson, addressed a large crowd of party faithfuls at the Assembly Hall of the Wa Senior High School in Wa.
He advised supporters of the party to be wary of the people who could come from the opposing political parties to sow seeds of disunity among them. He thanked the people of the Upper West Region for their unflinching support for the NPP, even in the face of defeat, and urged them to keep up the spirit.
On the alleged harassment of NPP supporters by members of the NDC throughout the country, the flag bearer called on the leadership of the NDC to bring those people to order.
"Politics is about choice, it is not about belonging to a party of one’s choice. We must, therefore, see ourselves as Ghanaians first in all that we do," Nana Akufo-Addo indicated.
Mr Boakye Agyarko, for his part, reminded the supporters that the campaign for wresting power from the NDC in the year 2012 starts now.
He said the NPP would ask the NDC to fulfil its campaign promises, which he said included reduction in fuel prices within the first 100 days in office as well as reduction in electricity tariffs.
The Communications Director of the NPP in the 2008 Elections, Dr Kobina Arthur Kennedy, expressed concern about the unprofessionalism on the part of some radio stations across the country, which he said, were doing all they could to divide the country.
Earlier, the NPP flag bearer was welcomed by ecstatic party supporters who sang and danced amidst motorcycle displays. They also carried placards, some of which read, "The NPP spirit is still on", "Nana all the way" and "With God, all things are possible".
"Where we are now is not the limit, the sky is the limit. The future of this country lies in the hands of the NPP. Therefore, remain united and be steadfast as the party continues to move forward," Nana Akufo-Addo advised.
Nana Akufo-Addo, who was accompanied on the trip by some leading members of the party, including Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo, Boakye Agyarko, Arthur Kennedy and Mustapha Abdul Hamid, his spokesperson, addressed a large crowd of party faithfuls at the Assembly Hall of the Wa Senior High School in Wa.
He advised supporters of the party to be wary of the people who could come from the opposing political parties to sow seeds of disunity among them. He thanked the people of the Upper West Region for their unflinching support for the NPP, even in the face of defeat, and urged them to keep up the spirit.
On the alleged harassment of NPP supporters by members of the NDC throughout the country, the flag bearer called on the leadership of the NDC to bring those people to order.
"Politics is about choice, it is not about belonging to a party of one’s choice. We must, therefore, see ourselves as Ghanaians first in all that we do," Nana Akufo-Addo indicated.
Mr Boakye Agyarko, for his part, reminded the supporters that the campaign for wresting power from the NDC in the year 2012 starts now.
He said the NPP would ask the NDC to fulfil its campaign promises, which he said included reduction in fuel prices within the first 100 days in office as well as reduction in electricity tariffs.
The Communications Director of the NPP in the 2008 Elections, Dr Kobina Arthur Kennedy, expressed concern about the unprofessionalism on the part of some radio stations across the country, which he said, were doing all they could to divide the country.
Earlier, the NPP flag bearer was welcomed by ecstatic party supporters who sang and danced amidst motorcycle displays. They also carried placards, some of which read, "The NPP spirit is still on", "Nana all the way" and "With God, all things are possible".
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
ALL STARS TO HOST KOTOKO AT WA (PAGE 47)
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wa All Stars Football Club, Mr Oduro Nyarko, has assured supporters of the club in the Wa municipality and the Upper West Region as a whole that the seventh week league encounter between Wa All Stars and Kumasi Asante Kotoko will be played at the Wa Stadium.
This, he said, was contrary to the initial decision to transfer the match to the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium so that it could be transmitted live by the Global Broadcasting Services (GBS).
He said the Wa Stadium did not have the required gadgets for the live transmission on GBS, hence an earlier decision to play the match in Accra.
“After travelling for almost 13 hours from Wa to Tamale to play Real Tamale United (RTU) and back, it would not be right to travel to Accra by road to honour the match against Asante Kotoko,” he said, adding, “We were, therefore, compelled to plead with the Professional League Board (PLB) which gave us the go-ahead to honour the match at Wa.”
Mr Nyarko, who was speaking in an interview in reaction to agitation by a section of the fans of All Stars in Wa over the transfer of the seventh week encounter to Accra, further explained that it was the PLB that takes decisions on matches that ought to be covered by the GBS, hence the initial decision to honour the seventh week match between All Stars and Kotoko at the Ohene Djan Stadium.
However, the CEO said, after explaining a few things to the PLB, it gave the nod for the match to be played at Wa.
Mr Nyarko appealed to supporters of All Stars at Wa and the entire region to exercise restraint, saying as the CEO of the club, he was prepared to provide the needed managerial support to both the technical team and the players of the club and, therefore, would not do anything that would go against the team.
“In any case we would still play one of our home matches in either Accra, Essipon or Kumasi because each club is expected to be featured at least once on the network of the GBS,” Mr Nyarko explained, adding that the live broadcast expose the teams, players and the technical team to the world and urged the fans of All Stars to assist him to succeed.
He also pledged to operate an open-door policy and called on supporters and sympathisers of the club to contact him anytime for clarification on matters concerning the club.
This, he said, was contrary to the initial decision to transfer the match to the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium so that it could be transmitted live by the Global Broadcasting Services (GBS).
He said the Wa Stadium did not have the required gadgets for the live transmission on GBS, hence an earlier decision to play the match in Accra.
“After travelling for almost 13 hours from Wa to Tamale to play Real Tamale United (RTU) and back, it would not be right to travel to Accra by road to honour the match against Asante Kotoko,” he said, adding, “We were, therefore, compelled to plead with the Professional League Board (PLB) which gave us the go-ahead to honour the match at Wa.”
Mr Nyarko, who was speaking in an interview in reaction to agitation by a section of the fans of All Stars in Wa over the transfer of the seventh week encounter to Accra, further explained that it was the PLB that takes decisions on matches that ought to be covered by the GBS, hence the initial decision to honour the seventh week match between All Stars and Kotoko at the Ohene Djan Stadium.
However, the CEO said, after explaining a few things to the PLB, it gave the nod for the match to be played at Wa.
Mr Nyarko appealed to supporters of All Stars at Wa and the entire region to exercise restraint, saying as the CEO of the club, he was prepared to provide the needed managerial support to both the technical team and the players of the club and, therefore, would not do anything that would go against the team.
“In any case we would still play one of our home matches in either Accra, Essipon or Kumasi because each club is expected to be featured at least once on the network of the GBS,” Mr Nyarko explained, adding that the live broadcast expose the teams, players and the technical team to the world and urged the fans of All Stars to assist him to succeed.
He also pledged to operate an open-door policy and called on supporters and sympathisers of the club to contact him anytime for clarification on matters concerning the club.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
ENTHUSIASTIC NDC SUPPORTERS IN UPPER WEST GO GAY (PAGE 29, JANUARY 7)
ENTHUSIASTIC supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper West Region, took to the streets immediately after the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, declared the 2008 presidential run-off results.
From Nandom through Lawra, Jirapa, Nadowli and Tumu to Wa, the regional capital, the supporters defied the chilly weather which was interspersed with sunny condition. They danced through the streets with brass band music and traditional drumming.
The situation in the Wa municipality could best be described as a street carnival as thousands of the supporters marched and danced from the regional party office through the streets in the municipality with shouts of “yeresesamu” and “yere ko yen anim”.
When asked why they were shouting the slogan of their opponents, Mr Adamu Mohammed, one of the supporters said, “It is good to move forward in life, but there must be a change first before we can move forward.”
Another lady who was in an NPP T-shirt and gave her name as Latifa said there was no doubt that President Kufuor had performed well in the last eight years, but Professor Mills could do better. She said NDC was the only party she loved, hence her excitement.
Subsequently, the dexterity exhibited by some of the supporters on motorcycles was overwhelming. With the women leading the fray, those on motorcycles kept crossing the streets in the municipality with a kind of motorcycle display, which could well qualify them for Olympic games. This scared a lot of by-standers, who on numerous instances, kept questioning the safety of those riders, because none of them wore a safety helmet.
Such was the intensity of the celebration of the victory of the NDC which run into the evening and continued serveral days after, with a route march through the principal streets of Wa.
Meanwhile, the Upper West Regional Executive of the NDC have expressed appreciation to all, who in diverse ways, contributed to the victory of the party in the 2008 general election.
A statement signed and released by the Regional Organiser, Mr Adams Issahaque, said the NDC appreciated the support and the role of the trades unions, the media, the party’s polling agents and supporters for their contributions over the years.
From Nandom through Lawra, Jirapa, Nadowli and Tumu to Wa, the regional capital, the supporters defied the chilly weather which was interspersed with sunny condition. They danced through the streets with brass band music and traditional drumming.
The situation in the Wa municipality could best be described as a street carnival as thousands of the supporters marched and danced from the regional party office through the streets in the municipality with shouts of “yeresesamu” and “yere ko yen anim”.
When asked why they were shouting the slogan of their opponents, Mr Adamu Mohammed, one of the supporters said, “It is good to move forward in life, but there must be a change first before we can move forward.”
Another lady who was in an NPP T-shirt and gave her name as Latifa said there was no doubt that President Kufuor had performed well in the last eight years, but Professor Mills could do better. She said NDC was the only party she loved, hence her excitement.
Subsequently, the dexterity exhibited by some of the supporters on motorcycles was overwhelming. With the women leading the fray, those on motorcycles kept crossing the streets in the municipality with a kind of motorcycle display, which could well qualify them for Olympic games. This scared a lot of by-standers, who on numerous instances, kept questioning the safety of those riders, because none of them wore a safety helmet.
Such was the intensity of the celebration of the victory of the NDC which run into the evening and continued serveral days after, with a route march through the principal streets of Wa.
Meanwhile, the Upper West Regional Executive of the NDC have expressed appreciation to all, who in diverse ways, contributed to the victory of the party in the 2008 general election.
A statement signed and released by the Regional Organiser, Mr Adams Issahaque, said the NDC appreciated the support and the role of the trades unions, the media, the party’s polling agents and supporters for their contributions over the years.
DO NOT BREACH PREVAILING PEACE (PAGE 26, JANUARY 5)
THE Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. Leon Kalenga Badikele, has called on Ghanaians not to do anything that would breach the peace the country is presently enjoying.
He said there was no price one could pay for peace and expressed the need to jealously guard the current peace in the country.
The Nuncio gave the advice when he paid a courtesy call on the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr George Hickah Benson in Wa.
He was on a four-day working visit to the Upper West Region since his assumption of office in July, last year.
He said Ghana had once again proved to the rest of the world that democracy could work on the African continent.
This, he said, was a feat which other countries on the continent would look up to so that they would work to entrench democratic governance in their respective countries.
"When Ghana is able to go through yet another presidential election, other African countries would believe that democracy could do well on the African continent", he stated.
The regional minister, for his part, said Ghanaians were God-fearing people who were looking up to a peaceful and smooth transition.
He paid tribute to the Catholic Church and lauded the enormous role the church continuously played in the development process of the region and the country at large.
He said there was no price one could pay for peace and expressed the need to jealously guard the current peace in the country.
The Nuncio gave the advice when he paid a courtesy call on the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr George Hickah Benson in Wa.
He was on a four-day working visit to the Upper West Region since his assumption of office in July, last year.
He said Ghana had once again proved to the rest of the world that democracy could work on the African continent.
This, he said, was a feat which other countries on the continent would look up to so that they would work to entrench democratic governance in their respective countries.
"When Ghana is able to go through yet another presidential election, other African countries would believe that democracy could do well on the African continent", he stated.
The regional minister, for his part, said Ghanaians were God-fearing people who were looking up to a peaceful and smooth transition.
He paid tribute to the Catholic Church and lauded the enormous role the church continuously played in the development process of the region and the country at large.
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