THE Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Assembly in the Northern Region has created the women and children’s subcommittee as a step towards giving more attention to women and children’s issues.
In line with its commitment to educate communities in the district on issues of women and children’s rights, the subcommittee has held a forum in 15 communities to sensitise women to their rights.
These include, Kalba, Konfusi, Nasoyiri, Blema, Tuna and Gindabo.
The secretary of the sub-committee, Madam Abudu Fati, who addressed the fora, mentioned the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees every citizen fundamental human rights, whether the person is a man, woman or a child and also protects women and children against discriminatory practices.
She entreated parents to be mindful of the rights of children, particularly the rights of the child to education, food, health, clothing and shelter and cautioned them against meting out corporal punishment to children or forcing them into marriage.
Throwing more light on the essence of the creation of the sub-committee, Madam Fati explained that the creation of the women and children subcommittee of the assembly was the first of its kind in the country.
She said considering the fact that women in the north were relegated to the background in terms of decision-making, members of the assembly through the co-oeration of the gender desk thought it wise to have such a committee to champion the cause of women and children.
“It would also open the doors for them to build their capacities”, she added, stressing, “The committee is to push the needs and problems confronting our women and children forward so that their voices would be heard”.
She said the main objective of the subcommittee was to tackle the issue of child migration from the north to the southern part of the country, as well as the problem of child abuse.
A resource person, Mr Issahaku Lonsina, said children must be allowed to make choices and take part in decisions that affect them. This, he said, would make them have a feel of self-recognition and freedom.
Mr Lonsina also stressed the need for households to include both women and children in family decision-making and recognise them as partners in development.
The Chairperson of the sub-committee, Madam Winifred Duordah, charged parents to take full responsibility for the upbringing of their children, saying “education is the best legacy any parent could bequeath to the child”.
She also urged parents to send their children to school, since it was the only means to develop the child.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
ALL STARS, KOTOKO SHARE HONOURS (BACK PAGE, FEB 8, 2010)
Wa All Stars for the third time running failed to beat Kumasi Asante Kotoko at home since joining the Premier League.
In a game which saw both teams trying to out-play each other, both teams played with sheer bravado and determination.
They were, however, lucky when a close range shot from the foot of All Stars Ebenezer Adjei in the 83rd minute hit the wood works denying the homesters their first victory over the Kumasi lads.
After taking the game to the visitors right from the blast of Koforidua-based refree Vincent Otoo’s whistle, Wa All Stars nearly got their first goal in the 29th minute when a Nathaniel Asamoah’s header missed the post narrowly.
This awakened the visitors who organised themselves very well in defence and matched the homesters in all departments of the game.
When played resumed in the second half, Kotoko lifted their game and kept the pressure on the homesters but were unlucky when Daniel Nii Baah’s volley was beautifully parried away by David Dadzie in post for All Stars.
After a few exchanges All Stars took charge of the game and mounted incessant raids in their opponents area much to the admiration of the ecstatic home fans who thronged the stadium in their numbers for the first time in many months.
In a game which saw both teams trying to out-play each other, both teams played with sheer bravado and determination.
They were, however, lucky when a close range shot from the foot of All Stars Ebenezer Adjei in the 83rd minute hit the wood works denying the homesters their first victory over the Kumasi lads.
After taking the game to the visitors right from the blast of Koforidua-based refree Vincent Otoo’s whistle, Wa All Stars nearly got their first goal in the 29th minute when a Nathaniel Asamoah’s header missed the post narrowly.
This awakened the visitors who organised themselves very well in defence and matched the homesters in all departments of the game.
When played resumed in the second half, Kotoko lifted their game and kept the pressure on the homesters but were unlucky when Daniel Nii Baah’s volley was beautifully parried away by David Dadzie in post for All Stars.
After a few exchanges All Stars took charge of the game and mounted incessant raids in their opponents area much to the admiration of the ecstatic home fans who thronged the stadium in their numbers for the first time in many months.
Friday, February 26, 2010
MAXWELLL KONADU WARNS KOTOKO (PAGE 31, FEB 6, 2010)
Wa All Stars coach Maxwell Konadu, has warned Kumasi Asante Kotoko to braze themselves up for one of their toughest battle ever in recent times at the Wa Stadium.
The two teams lock horns in topmost fixture of the Premier League tomorrow.
Konadu described Sundays encounter as a history-making one for the Wa lads.
He said All Stars had never beaten Kumasi Asante Kotoko since they qualified for the elite division and so the match between the two sides on Sunday at the Wa Stadium would be a fine opportunity for All Stars to break that jinx.
Coach Konadu said unlike previous matches where there was so much pressure on his players when playing Kotoko, the situation would be different this time and All Stars would not afford to lose this match.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Wa, Coach Konadu said with God on the side of All Stars victory would surely come their way.
He expressed disappointment that his boys could not collect all the three points when they played Kotoko in Kumasi during the first round saying “I love to play against Kotoko at their backyard”.
Commenting on the Glo Premier League and how it had gone for the club so far, coach Konadu admitted that it had not been an easy road, considering the teams on top of the table.
“This is a clear indication that the league has been very tough and so we are not leaving anything to chance. At least we hope to be among the first four clubs by the time the league comes to a close” he stated.
Meanwhile, supporters of Wa All Stars are in high spirits and have vowed to troop to the Wa Stadium in their numbers on Sunday.
They said now there was no big team or small team in the premier league as it pertained some years back, and therefore there was no turning back for All Stars.
The two teams lock horns in topmost fixture of the Premier League tomorrow.
Konadu described Sundays encounter as a history-making one for the Wa lads.
He said All Stars had never beaten Kumasi Asante Kotoko since they qualified for the elite division and so the match between the two sides on Sunday at the Wa Stadium would be a fine opportunity for All Stars to break that jinx.
Coach Konadu said unlike previous matches where there was so much pressure on his players when playing Kotoko, the situation would be different this time and All Stars would not afford to lose this match.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Wa, Coach Konadu said with God on the side of All Stars victory would surely come their way.
He expressed disappointment that his boys could not collect all the three points when they played Kotoko in Kumasi during the first round saying “I love to play against Kotoko at their backyard”.
Commenting on the Glo Premier League and how it had gone for the club so far, coach Konadu admitted that it had not been an easy road, considering the teams on top of the table.
“This is a clear indication that the league has been very tough and so we are not leaving anything to chance. At least we hope to be among the first four clubs by the time the league comes to a close” he stated.
Meanwhile, supporters of Wa All Stars are in high spirits and have vowed to troop to the Wa Stadium in their numbers on Sunday.
They said now there was no big team or small team in the premier league as it pertained some years back, and therefore there was no turning back for All Stars.
PETITION AGAINST WA NAA'S ENSKINMENT DISMISSED (PAGE 20, FEB 3, 2010)
The JUDICIAL committee of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs has dismissed a petition filed against the enskinment of Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo as Wa Naa.
The three-member committee, which had the Nandom Naa, Naa Dr Chiire Puobe Chir, as the Chairman, with Kuoro Doctawie Ninia II, Zini Kuoro and Kuoro Alhaji Iddrisu Bamie, Lambussie Kuoro as members, also fined the petitioners GH¢1,000.
The Gbetore Naa, Alhaji Issah Bukari, Mr Bomison Seidu Hamidu and the Sing Naa, Naa Mumuni Saaka, who were the petitioners, said Naa Pelpuo, who was elected and enskinned as the new Wa Naa on January 27, 2007, was ineligible for the position.
They questioned the validity of the nomination, election, enskinment and the introduction of Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo, the then Selle Naa, as the new Wa Naa.
In its rulings, the committee held that the petitioners had failed to adduce fresh evidence, the basis of which they filed a motion on notice asking the committee to hold onto its judgement.
The committee said the petitioners failed to tender in a letter purported to have been written by one Alhaji Iddrisu Seidu Froko, the head of the Froko family of Wa, questioning the legitimacy of Naa Pelpuo to the throne.
It said the committee refused to allow Mr Daudi Abdulai Froko to tender the letter on the ground that he was not the author, since the original author of the letter was alive.
The committee said Alhaji Seidu Froko was never called by the petitioners to testify, while no reasons were given by the petitioners for his inability to do so even though he had been put down as a witness by the petitioners.
According to the committee, after studying the affidavits in support of the motion and that of the defendants, as well as listening to the submissions of the lawyers of the parties, it had no option but to dismiss the motion.
“With respect, the committee is of the opinion that its decision of September 18, 2008 not to allow Daudi Abdulai Froko to tender Alhaji Iddrisu Froko’s letter while Alhaji Froko was available as a witness was not a per incuriam decision,” it stated.
The committee quoted section 26 of the Chieftaincy Act, which empowered the Regional House of Chiefs to preside over matters relating to a paramount stool or skin or the occupancy of a paramount stool or skin including a queen to a paramount stool or skin.
“The Wa chieftaincy matter is a paramount skin of which the present cause of the matter before the committee was about the validity of the nomination, election, enskinment and outdooring of the third defendant as the occupant of the Wa paramount skin.
“The jurisdiction of this committee was therefore properly invoked by the petitioners when they filed their petition at the registry of the committee on January 22, 2007,” it said.
The committee added that the correct remedy of the petitioners, when they disagreed with the decision of the committee not to allow Daudi Abdulai Froko to tender Alhaji Iddrisu Seidu Froko’s letter, was for them to appeal to the National House of Chiefs within 30 days as stipulated under section 3:3 of the Chieftaincy Act of 2008.
“The petitioners having failed to appeal within the time permitted by the rules of the court are stopped from reopening the matter at this late hour,” the committee stated, adding that “it is for this reason that the committee has decided to dismiss the motion. The motion is accordingly dismissed as incurably belated”.
The committee also asked the defendants to recover cost of GH¢1,000 from the petitioners.
It would be recalled that there had been series of litigation over the rightful occupant of the Wa Naa’s skin since the death of the late Wa Naa, Naa Alhaji Yakubu Soale Seidu II about four years ago.
Subsequently, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo was nominated, elected and enskinned by the kingmakers in 2007 to succeed the late chief, but that was contested by the three petitioners.
The three-member committee, which had the Nandom Naa, Naa Dr Chiire Puobe Chir, as the Chairman, with Kuoro Doctawie Ninia II, Zini Kuoro and Kuoro Alhaji Iddrisu Bamie, Lambussie Kuoro as members, also fined the petitioners GH¢1,000.
The Gbetore Naa, Alhaji Issah Bukari, Mr Bomison Seidu Hamidu and the Sing Naa, Naa Mumuni Saaka, who were the petitioners, said Naa Pelpuo, who was elected and enskinned as the new Wa Naa on January 27, 2007, was ineligible for the position.
They questioned the validity of the nomination, election, enskinment and the introduction of Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo, the then Selle Naa, as the new Wa Naa.
In its rulings, the committee held that the petitioners had failed to adduce fresh evidence, the basis of which they filed a motion on notice asking the committee to hold onto its judgement.
The committee said the petitioners failed to tender in a letter purported to have been written by one Alhaji Iddrisu Seidu Froko, the head of the Froko family of Wa, questioning the legitimacy of Naa Pelpuo to the throne.
It said the committee refused to allow Mr Daudi Abdulai Froko to tender the letter on the ground that he was not the author, since the original author of the letter was alive.
The committee said Alhaji Seidu Froko was never called by the petitioners to testify, while no reasons were given by the petitioners for his inability to do so even though he had been put down as a witness by the petitioners.
According to the committee, after studying the affidavits in support of the motion and that of the defendants, as well as listening to the submissions of the lawyers of the parties, it had no option but to dismiss the motion.
“With respect, the committee is of the opinion that its decision of September 18, 2008 not to allow Daudi Abdulai Froko to tender Alhaji Iddrisu Froko’s letter while Alhaji Froko was available as a witness was not a per incuriam decision,” it stated.
The committee quoted section 26 of the Chieftaincy Act, which empowered the Regional House of Chiefs to preside over matters relating to a paramount stool or skin or the occupancy of a paramount stool or skin including a queen to a paramount stool or skin.
“The Wa chieftaincy matter is a paramount skin of which the present cause of the matter before the committee was about the validity of the nomination, election, enskinment and outdooring of the third defendant as the occupant of the Wa paramount skin.
“The jurisdiction of this committee was therefore properly invoked by the petitioners when they filed their petition at the registry of the committee on January 22, 2007,” it said.
The committee added that the correct remedy of the petitioners, when they disagreed with the decision of the committee not to allow Daudi Abdulai Froko to tender Alhaji Iddrisu Seidu Froko’s letter, was for them to appeal to the National House of Chiefs within 30 days as stipulated under section 3:3 of the Chieftaincy Act of 2008.
“The petitioners having failed to appeal within the time permitted by the rules of the court are stopped from reopening the matter at this late hour,” the committee stated, adding that “it is for this reason that the committee has decided to dismiss the motion. The motion is accordingly dismissed as incurably belated”.
The committee also asked the defendants to recover cost of GH¢1,000 from the petitioners.
It would be recalled that there had been series of litigation over the rightful occupant of the Wa Naa’s skin since the death of the late Wa Naa, Naa Alhaji Yakubu Soale Seidu II about four years ago.
Subsequently, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo was nominated, elected and enskinned by the kingmakers in 2007 to succeed the late chief, but that was contested by the three petitioners.
GHANA NEEDS GOD-FEARING POLITICIANS (PAGE 16, FEB 3, 2010)
THE Upper West Regional Propaganda Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Yahaya Yakubu, has said it is time the country got more God-fearing politicians in order to ensure that the interest of the country is supreme at all times.
He said instances where politicians used all forms of machinations to win political power was not healthy for the development of the nation.
He, therefore, called for politics devoid of hatred, acrimony and divisiveness in order to sustain the peace and unity in the country.
Mr Yakubu expressed this concern when he addressed foot soldiers of the NDC in Wa. The occasion was to create the platform for the foot soldiers to interact with one another and to share ideas.
“Let us practise our politics with the fear of God at all times. We do not have to do things which seemed as if we are at each other’s throat and always want to win power at all cost,” he said.
Responding to some criticisms against the Mills government, Mr Yakubu explained that the NDC was determined to implement its manifesto and, therefore, it was up to the party’s foot soldiers to keep reminding the populace of that.
He said the party would not renege on its promises, but strive to deliver the Better Ghana Agenda it had promised, pointing out that the government would continue to treat all Ghanaians equally and ensure that each citizen got his or her due.
On some of the development projects for the Upper West Region, the regional NDC propaganda secretary mentioned the establishment of more secondary and technical schools in some communities in the Sissala West and the Wa East districts.
For his part, the Nadowli District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Abu Kasangbata, who graced the occasion, assured the foot soldiers that the NDC party would never neglect them and that it would ensure that they were properly catered for.
He called on Ministers of State, NDC Members of Parliament (MPs), DCEs and all others who were appointed by President Mills to continue to recognise the foot soldiers of the party, stressing, “We must encourage them to work hard to sustain and keep the party in government come 2012.”
Mr Kasangbata further mentioned the introduction of the Northern Rural Growth Project (NRGP), SADA and the distribution of free uniforms among other policies as some of the interventions by the government to improve the lot of the people.
“Schoolchildren in the Upper West Region would soon receive 260,790 free exercise books,” he stated.
Commenting on the role of the media, the DCE urged the media to continue to partner the government in its work to enhance the development process of the country.
He also called on the media to be responsible in the discharge of their duties in order to help build upon the peace and unity in the country.
He said the Upper West Region was grateful to President Mills for the appointment of Mr Alban Bagbin as minister designate for Water Resources, Works and Housing.
He said instances where politicians used all forms of machinations to win political power was not healthy for the development of the nation.
He, therefore, called for politics devoid of hatred, acrimony and divisiveness in order to sustain the peace and unity in the country.
Mr Yakubu expressed this concern when he addressed foot soldiers of the NDC in Wa. The occasion was to create the platform for the foot soldiers to interact with one another and to share ideas.
“Let us practise our politics with the fear of God at all times. We do not have to do things which seemed as if we are at each other’s throat and always want to win power at all cost,” he said.
Responding to some criticisms against the Mills government, Mr Yakubu explained that the NDC was determined to implement its manifesto and, therefore, it was up to the party’s foot soldiers to keep reminding the populace of that.
He said the party would not renege on its promises, but strive to deliver the Better Ghana Agenda it had promised, pointing out that the government would continue to treat all Ghanaians equally and ensure that each citizen got his or her due.
On some of the development projects for the Upper West Region, the regional NDC propaganda secretary mentioned the establishment of more secondary and technical schools in some communities in the Sissala West and the Wa East districts.
For his part, the Nadowli District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Abu Kasangbata, who graced the occasion, assured the foot soldiers that the NDC party would never neglect them and that it would ensure that they were properly catered for.
He called on Ministers of State, NDC Members of Parliament (MPs), DCEs and all others who were appointed by President Mills to continue to recognise the foot soldiers of the party, stressing, “We must encourage them to work hard to sustain and keep the party in government come 2012.”
Mr Kasangbata further mentioned the introduction of the Northern Rural Growth Project (NRGP), SADA and the distribution of free uniforms among other policies as some of the interventions by the government to improve the lot of the people.
“Schoolchildren in the Upper West Region would soon receive 260,790 free exercise books,” he stated.
Commenting on the role of the media, the DCE urged the media to continue to partner the government in its work to enhance the development process of the country.
He also called on the media to be responsible in the discharge of their duties in order to help build upon the peace and unity in the country.
He said the Upper West Region was grateful to President Mills for the appointment of Mr Alban Bagbin as minister designate for Water Resources, Works and Housing.
UW NDC COMMENDS EXECUTIVE (PAGE 16, FEB 2, 2010)
THE Upper West Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has commended the newly elected national executive of the party.
It said the verdict of the delegates at the recently held party congress in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, which saw the new executive members in their respective current positions had not only united the party across the country but had also strengthened it.
A statement signed and released by the regional secretary of the party, Mr Eric Dakura Faanuba, in Wa, said the party was able to prove the sceptics wrong by coming out of the congress more united.
It expressed the hope that the new leadership of the party would partner President Mills and his government to deliver the better Ghana agenda.
“We also believe that with unity of purpose your actions and inactions as executive would be focused towards sustaining the unity, stability and the forward march of the party,” the statement added, and further commended all the delegates as well as the northern regional branch of the party, for organising such a successful congress.
It expressed appreciation to the security personnel for their diligence and professional conduct in ensuring a violence-free congress.
The statement, therefore, called on all NDC faithful and others who were interested in joining the party to do so, saying the NDC was a party that sought the welfare of all Ghanaians.
“The citizenry must support President Mills’ government as it worked to improve the lot of all” the statement concluded.
It said the verdict of the delegates at the recently held party congress in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, which saw the new executive members in their respective current positions had not only united the party across the country but had also strengthened it.
A statement signed and released by the regional secretary of the party, Mr Eric Dakura Faanuba, in Wa, said the party was able to prove the sceptics wrong by coming out of the congress more united.
It expressed the hope that the new leadership of the party would partner President Mills and his government to deliver the better Ghana agenda.
“We also believe that with unity of purpose your actions and inactions as executive would be focused towards sustaining the unity, stability and the forward march of the party,” the statement added, and further commended all the delegates as well as the northern regional branch of the party, for organising such a successful congress.
It expressed appreciation to the security personnel for their diligence and professional conduct in ensuring a violence-free congress.
The statement, therefore, called on all NDC faithful and others who were interested in joining the party to do so, saying the NDC was a party that sought the welfare of all Ghanaians.
“The citizenry must support President Mills’ government as it worked to improve the lot of all” the statement concluded.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
POLITICIANS ADVISED TO CRITICISE CONSTRUCTIVELY (PAGE 15, JAN 15, 2010)
THE Upper West Regional Propaganda Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Yakubu Yahaya, has stressed on the need for politicians to change the phase of politics from attacking personalities to an issue-based politics of constructive criticisms.
This, he said, was the only way to reduce the tension, rancour and all other negative traits which characterised politics in the country.
Mr Yahaya, who gave the advice during an interaction with the Daily Graphic in Wa, said the NDC organised all its elections in the region peacefully and so all the other political parties must emulate it and do same in order not to mar the peace which the region was enjoying.
“The regional minister, and all the other political heads need peace to continue with the good work they have started and therefore sustaining the peace in the region was very paramount in working to achieve the better Ghana that President Mills has promised Ghanaians” he added and thanked the traditional rulers and security agencies as well as the people of the region for their contribution towards the total development of the region.
Mr Yahaya further called on the media to be as professional as possible and said as the fourth estate of the realm, the government needed their support to achieve its targeted goals.
He called on all NDC faithful to remain steadfast and united even in the face of the initial difficulties which the government inherited and said President Mills’ Government was taking the right decisions to bring the economy back on track.
He said the NDC was a party for all Ghanaians and therefore it would do its best to meet the needs and aspirations of the entire citizenry.
Mr Yahaya further called on Ghanaians to rally behind President Mills’s Government and that the Government would prove to all Ghanaians that it is an able Government.
This, he said, was the only way to reduce the tension, rancour and all other negative traits which characterised politics in the country.
Mr Yahaya, who gave the advice during an interaction with the Daily Graphic in Wa, said the NDC organised all its elections in the region peacefully and so all the other political parties must emulate it and do same in order not to mar the peace which the region was enjoying.
“The regional minister, and all the other political heads need peace to continue with the good work they have started and therefore sustaining the peace in the region was very paramount in working to achieve the better Ghana that President Mills has promised Ghanaians” he added and thanked the traditional rulers and security agencies as well as the people of the region for their contribution towards the total development of the region.
Mr Yahaya further called on the media to be as professional as possible and said as the fourth estate of the realm, the government needed their support to achieve its targeted goals.
He called on all NDC faithful to remain steadfast and united even in the face of the initial difficulties which the government inherited and said President Mills’ Government was taking the right decisions to bring the economy back on track.
He said the NDC was a party for all Ghanaians and therefore it would do its best to meet the needs and aspirations of the entire citizenry.
Mr Yahaya further called on Ghanaians to rally behind President Mills’s Government and that the Government would prove to all Ghanaians that it is an able Government.
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