Wa All Stars yesterday deepened the woes of Accra Hearts of Oak when they tore them into shreds with an emphatic 2-0 victory in their Glo Premier League match at the Wa Stadium.
Two spectacular goals from the feet of All Stars’ Nortey Frank Sowah and Ben Acheampong on the 18th and 69th minutes put the brakes on the visitors who had before the match sent signals of collecting all the three points at stake.
Playing as if possessed before an impressive home crowd which included the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, and the bankroller of All Stars and President of the Ghana Football Association, Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi, All Stars were better in every department of the game, compelling Hearts players to chase their shadows.
So ordinary were Hearts that Sowah capitalised on it to connect a beautiful diagonal cross from Nathaniel Asamoah with a thunderbolt past Philemon McCarthy in post for the visitors to end the first half.
When play resumed, All Stars again took the game to Hearts who could not find an antidote to the fluid ball possession and speed of the homesters, forcing the technical bench to make three intermittent substitutions by bringing on Tawrick Djibril, Moro Abubakar and Jonathan Mantey, but the trend did not change until Acheampong put Hearts beyond recovery.
Despite the fact that skipper Ismail Amin of All Stars was sent off with about 15 minutes to end proceedings, Hearts could not take advantage of the situation till the referee blew the final whistle amidst wild jubilation from the home fans.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
SHIFT FROM PRACTICES THAT SUPPRESS WOMEN (PAGE 14, NOV 21)
THE Wa Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Mr Duogo Yakubu, has called for a paradigm shift in the traditional and cultural practices which suppress women.
He made the call at a two-day consultative forum on the Property Rights of Spouses’ Bill and the Intestate Succession Bill in Wa.
It was organised by the LAWA-Ghana Alumea Incorporated and the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), with support from the German Development Corporation (GTZ).
The MCE said if perpetrators of violence against women were not handed severe punishments which would serve as a deterrent, divorce rates, female genital mutilation, among other vices, would continue to be high.
He, therefore, urged members of LAWA Ghana and AWLA to go beyond advocacy and come up with motivational packages and other incentives for females who pursued courses in law.
Mr Yakubu also appealed to participants at the forum to lead the crusade in making people to appreciate the current legal regime governing the property rights of women and the challenges associated with intestate succession.
The Upper West Regional Director of the Department of Women of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs Kate Bob Milliar, called for support for the property rights of spouses and the intestate succession bills to be passed into law.
For her part, a representative of LAWA-Ghana, Mrs Barbara Ayesu, attributed the problems associated with the Intestate Succession Bill to the plural legal system in the country.
She said when the bill was passed into law and enforced, it would ease the suffering of many spouses, particularly women in nuclear families who usually suffered the brunt from external family members.
She said LAWA-Ghana and AWLA were holding similar forums across the country, after which they would remove the anomalies in the bills and the inputs forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office to be given the needed attention.
He made the call at a two-day consultative forum on the Property Rights of Spouses’ Bill and the Intestate Succession Bill in Wa.
It was organised by the LAWA-Ghana Alumea Incorporated and the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), with support from the German Development Corporation (GTZ).
The MCE said if perpetrators of violence against women were not handed severe punishments which would serve as a deterrent, divorce rates, female genital mutilation, among other vices, would continue to be high.
He, therefore, urged members of LAWA Ghana and AWLA to go beyond advocacy and come up with motivational packages and other incentives for females who pursued courses in law.
Mr Yakubu also appealed to participants at the forum to lead the crusade in making people to appreciate the current legal regime governing the property rights of women and the challenges associated with intestate succession.
The Upper West Regional Director of the Department of Women of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, Mrs Kate Bob Milliar, called for support for the property rights of spouses and the intestate succession bills to be passed into law.
For her part, a representative of LAWA-Ghana, Mrs Barbara Ayesu, attributed the problems associated with the Intestate Succession Bill to the plural legal system in the country.
She said when the bill was passed into law and enforced, it would ease the suffering of many spouses, particularly women in nuclear families who usually suffered the brunt from external family members.
She said LAWA-Ghana and AWLA were holding similar forums across the country, after which they would remove the anomalies in the bills and the inputs forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office to be given the needed attention.
Friday, November 20, 2009
NDC NADOWLI WEST ELECTS NEW EXECUTIVES (PAGE 16, NOV 20)
THE Nadowli West Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has held its delegates conference with the election of new constituency executives.
These include the positions of chairman, secretary, organiser and deputy secretary which were won by Mr Edward Abbey, Mr John Bosco Bomansaan, Mr Thomas Ngminbahaara and Mr Isaac Wiebukanga respectively.
The rest are, Madam Stella Antaabu as women’s organiser and Mr Suleiman Zuntang Sumaila, youth organiser.
Other positions as vice chairman, treasurer, deputy treasurer, propaganda secretary, deputy propaganda secretary and deputy organiser were unopposed.
The marathon congress attracted people from various parts of the constituency, the region and the country, including the Majority leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency, Mr Alban Bagbin, the Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Caesar Kale and an aide to former President Rawlings, Mr Kofi Adams.
In an address after the elections, Mr Bagbin urged the people to remain united regardless of the outcome of the elections saying democracy is about expression of opinions and not anger.
“What has transpired here today is a clear indication that democracy is thriving in the Nadowli West Constituency,” he added.
He noted that MP’s were the pillars of the country’s democratic dispensation and therefore there is the need to recognise this role and that MP’s should be given the desired focus.
Mr Bagbin also called for the proper organisation of the party, pointing out that “Without strong political parties we cannot consolidate a democratic culture in any society”
On the NDC governments’ support for women, the majority leader said the government took the issue of women empowerment and equality very seriously and would work to ensure that women took their rightful place in society.
He said the government would also inculcate in the youth of the country the culture of politics of togetherness and all inclusiveness.
An Aide to former President Rawlings, Mr Kofi Adams, acknowledged the role played by the various executives and the youth of the party in securing victory for the party during the 2008 general elections.
He said the party had just started with its reorganisation process which would be extended to all corners of the country.
Mr Adams also appealed to the faithful of the party to remain committed and make sure that they understood the principles of the party.
These include the positions of chairman, secretary, organiser and deputy secretary which were won by Mr Edward Abbey, Mr John Bosco Bomansaan, Mr Thomas Ngminbahaara and Mr Isaac Wiebukanga respectively.
The rest are, Madam Stella Antaabu as women’s organiser and Mr Suleiman Zuntang Sumaila, youth organiser.
Other positions as vice chairman, treasurer, deputy treasurer, propaganda secretary, deputy propaganda secretary and deputy organiser were unopposed.
The marathon congress attracted people from various parts of the constituency, the region and the country, including the Majority leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency, Mr Alban Bagbin, the Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Caesar Kale and an aide to former President Rawlings, Mr Kofi Adams.
In an address after the elections, Mr Bagbin urged the people to remain united regardless of the outcome of the elections saying democracy is about expression of opinions and not anger.
“What has transpired here today is a clear indication that democracy is thriving in the Nadowli West Constituency,” he added.
He noted that MP’s were the pillars of the country’s democratic dispensation and therefore there is the need to recognise this role and that MP’s should be given the desired focus.
Mr Bagbin also called for the proper organisation of the party, pointing out that “Without strong political parties we cannot consolidate a democratic culture in any society”
On the NDC governments’ support for women, the majority leader said the government took the issue of women empowerment and equality very seriously and would work to ensure that women took their rightful place in society.
He said the government would also inculcate in the youth of the country the culture of politics of togetherness and all inclusiveness.
An Aide to former President Rawlings, Mr Kofi Adams, acknowledged the role played by the various executives and the youth of the party in securing victory for the party during the 2008 general elections.
He said the party had just started with its reorganisation process which would be extended to all corners of the country.
Mr Adams also appealed to the faithful of the party to remain committed and make sure that they understood the principles of the party.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
STOP ALL CHIEFTAINCY DISPUTES (NOV 17, PAGE 31)
The Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, has appealed to those behind chieftaincy disputes, particularly in the Upper West Region and other parts of the country to stop forthwith and rather help to resolve them to pave the way for the needed peace and security to prevail.
He urged them to use the alternative dispute resolution mechanism in resolving disputes rather than resorting to the law courts.
The Vice-President made the appeal at the introduction of Richard Badini Kanton as the Kuoro (chief) of the Tumu Traditional Area at Tumu yesterday at the beginning of his visit to the Upper West Region.
Mr Mahama said the peaceful resolution of disputes in the Upper West Region and other parts of the country would help to eliminate bitterness and high legal costs usually associated with litigation.
He noted that the rising trend of disputes in the Upper West Region was disturbing since the situation could retard the progress and development of the region.
“Happily , however, you have not allowed these conflicts to generate into violence, which is quiet commendable. However, there is the need to appreciate the consequences these disputes pose to development,” he stated.
The Vice-President said besides the energy and resources spent, litigation could send wrong signals to potential investors, a situation which could make the region unattractive.
Moreover, he said, disputes also bred a sense of general insecurity as it adversely affected the human resource development of the affected areas.
Mr Mahama said the cultures and traditional norms of the people of Ghana and northern Ghana in particular, had one element in common, which was the use of traditional ceremonies as a unifying factor among the various ethnic groups in any particular area.
The Vice-President underscored the need for the people in the Tumu Traditional Area to protect the environment in order that the area could continue to contribute immensely towards food production.
He, therefore,called on the traditional authorities, assembly members, unit committee members and the entire citizenry of the region to adopt strategies in order to halt the unhealthy practice which affected the environment and the survival of the people.
He announced that the government had decided to develop the Tumu Secondary Technical School into a full fledged boarding institution.
Mr Mahama said such a development would bring relief to parents and the educational authorities as well as improve teaching and learning.
The Vice-President said the introduction of a new chief for the traditional area offered yet another opportunity to the people to forge closer co-operation and contribute meaningfully towards the development of the area.
The Tumu Kuoro, Badini Kanton, was happy that the traditional area had remained peaceful and attributed the situation to the commitment of the people to uphold the values and ideals of their forefathers.
He gave a pledge to offer responsible leadership to sustain the peace in the traditional area.
He urged them to use the alternative dispute resolution mechanism in resolving disputes rather than resorting to the law courts.
The Vice-President made the appeal at the introduction of Richard Badini Kanton as the Kuoro (chief) of the Tumu Traditional Area at Tumu yesterday at the beginning of his visit to the Upper West Region.
Mr Mahama said the peaceful resolution of disputes in the Upper West Region and other parts of the country would help to eliminate bitterness and high legal costs usually associated with litigation.
He noted that the rising trend of disputes in the Upper West Region was disturbing since the situation could retard the progress and development of the region.
“Happily , however, you have not allowed these conflicts to generate into violence, which is quiet commendable. However, there is the need to appreciate the consequences these disputes pose to development,” he stated.
The Vice-President said besides the energy and resources spent, litigation could send wrong signals to potential investors, a situation which could make the region unattractive.
Moreover, he said, disputes also bred a sense of general insecurity as it adversely affected the human resource development of the affected areas.
Mr Mahama said the cultures and traditional norms of the people of Ghana and northern Ghana in particular, had one element in common, which was the use of traditional ceremonies as a unifying factor among the various ethnic groups in any particular area.
The Vice-President underscored the need for the people in the Tumu Traditional Area to protect the environment in order that the area could continue to contribute immensely towards food production.
He, therefore,called on the traditional authorities, assembly members, unit committee members and the entire citizenry of the region to adopt strategies in order to halt the unhealthy practice which affected the environment and the survival of the people.
He announced that the government had decided to develop the Tumu Secondary Technical School into a full fledged boarding institution.
Mr Mahama said such a development would bring relief to parents and the educational authorities as well as improve teaching and learning.
The Vice-President said the introduction of a new chief for the traditional area offered yet another opportunity to the people to forge closer co-operation and contribute meaningfully towards the development of the area.
The Tumu Kuoro, Badini Kanton, was happy that the traditional area had remained peaceful and attributed the situation to the commitment of the people to uphold the values and ideals of their forefathers.
He gave a pledge to offer responsible leadership to sustain the peace in the traditional area.
RESTRICT MINORS FROM PORNO WEBSITE — VEEP (NOV 16, SPREAD)
Story: Timothy Gobah & Chris Nunoo, Jirapa
THE Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, has called on Internet café operators to put in place stringent mechanisms which will restrict minors from accessing websites with sexual or negative content.
“Perhaps we need to achieve this by enforcing our laws on decency to enable our children and wards to benefit fully from the positive aspects of ICT,” he added
Mr Mahama was speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Saint Francis of Assisi Girls’ Senior High School at Jirapa in the Upper West Region.
It was on the theme, “50 years of quality Catholic education - The way forward: Reinforcement of the girl-child”.
Mr Mahama said it was better to teach the youth to take the right decisions and help them accomplish their potential, instead of allowing them to learn from wrong sources such as bad friends, through the Internet or the media, pointing out that it was about time parents intensified their efforts at sexual and reproductive health education which, in the past, was considered a taboo topic.
He stressed the need to put more attention on addressing cultural and economic issues such as elopement, early marriages and poverty which, over the years, had undermined girl education.
He urged past students of the school to set up an endowment fund to cater for needy, brilliant girls, as well as girls who opted to study Science.
“You, as old girls, should also make it a duty and encourage many of the past students to come back to serve the school for at least some reasonable period as a way of giving back something to the school which has made them what they are,” the Vice-President stated.
He commended the entire administration, staff and students of the school, both past and present, for their contributions in bringing it this far and said the government would turn it into a centre of excellence for the study of Science and Mathematics.
Touching on the contributions and role of the Catholic Church in education in the Upper West Region and the country as a whole, Mr Mahama expressed appreciation to the church and urged it to work to deepen and strengthen the partnership between it and the State.
That, according to him, was because both the State and the church sought to work to uplift the well-being of mankind but through different approaches.
The Headmistress of the school, Rev Sister Janice Gbiel, expressed appreciation to the government and the GETFund for their contributions towards the growth of the school.
She stressed the commitment of the staff to work tirelessly to put the school on a higher pedestal, adding that with discipline that could be achieved.
Rev Sister Gbiel, who traced the history of the school from its inception, called on philanthropic institutions to assist the school.
Earlier, Vice-President Mahama had paid a familiarisation visit to the Duong bone-setting clinic and also graced the maiden Speech and Prize-giving Day of the Duong Primary and Junior High School in the Nadowli District, where he assured the people of the commitment of the government to create the needed platform for a collaboration between orthodox medical practitioners and their traditional counterparts.
He also inaugurated an electricity project for the town and said the government would particularly accelerate the rural electrification project in the Upper West and East regions for the two regions to catch up with other parts of the country.
THE Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, has called on Internet café operators to put in place stringent mechanisms which will restrict minors from accessing websites with sexual or negative content.
“Perhaps we need to achieve this by enforcing our laws on decency to enable our children and wards to benefit fully from the positive aspects of ICT,” he added
Mr Mahama was speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Saint Francis of Assisi Girls’ Senior High School at Jirapa in the Upper West Region.
It was on the theme, “50 years of quality Catholic education - The way forward: Reinforcement of the girl-child”.
Mr Mahama said it was better to teach the youth to take the right decisions and help them accomplish their potential, instead of allowing them to learn from wrong sources such as bad friends, through the Internet or the media, pointing out that it was about time parents intensified their efforts at sexual and reproductive health education which, in the past, was considered a taboo topic.
He stressed the need to put more attention on addressing cultural and economic issues such as elopement, early marriages and poverty which, over the years, had undermined girl education.
He urged past students of the school to set up an endowment fund to cater for needy, brilliant girls, as well as girls who opted to study Science.
“You, as old girls, should also make it a duty and encourage many of the past students to come back to serve the school for at least some reasonable period as a way of giving back something to the school which has made them what they are,” the Vice-President stated.
He commended the entire administration, staff and students of the school, both past and present, for their contributions in bringing it this far and said the government would turn it into a centre of excellence for the study of Science and Mathematics.
Touching on the contributions and role of the Catholic Church in education in the Upper West Region and the country as a whole, Mr Mahama expressed appreciation to the church and urged it to work to deepen and strengthen the partnership between it and the State.
That, according to him, was because both the State and the church sought to work to uplift the well-being of mankind but through different approaches.
The Headmistress of the school, Rev Sister Janice Gbiel, expressed appreciation to the government and the GETFund for their contributions towards the growth of the school.
She stressed the commitment of the staff to work tirelessly to put the school on a higher pedestal, adding that with discipline that could be achieved.
Rev Sister Gbiel, who traced the history of the school from its inception, called on philanthropic institutions to assist the school.
Earlier, Vice-President Mahama had paid a familiarisation visit to the Duong bone-setting clinic and also graced the maiden Speech and Prize-giving Day of the Duong Primary and Junior High School in the Nadowli District, where he assured the people of the commitment of the government to create the needed platform for a collaboration between orthodox medical practitioners and their traditional counterparts.
He also inaugurated an electricity project for the town and said the government would particularly accelerate the rural electrification project in the Upper West and East regions for the two regions to catch up with other parts of the country.
Friday, November 13, 2009
NPP, NDC MUST SOFTEN STANCE ON BAWKU CRISIS — TESCON (PAGE 16, NOV 13)
THE Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) branch of the Tertiary Students Confederacy Network (TESCON), of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the two major political parties, the NDC and the NPP, to soften their stance on the Bawku crisis.
It said it was a known fact that the conflict in Bawku had taken a political dimension and therefore, there could only be peace if the two parties acted in a manner that would make the factions appreciate the need to live in peace with each other. The President of the Network, Mr Mohammed Abdul-Hakam, in an interview in Wa, said the approach to solving the conflict must change.
“For Bawku to see lasting peace, there is the need for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP to do the right thing and give up certain things for the sake of peace in Bawku and the entire country,” he stated.
He suggested that the time had come for the National House of Chiefs and other conflict resolution institutions to handle the crisis without any political interference.
Mr Abdul-Hakam also said President Atta Mills must reassign the current Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka, since his position could be a setback to the peace process.
On the peace initiative which was launched recently in Wa by a Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, Mr Abdul-Hakam stressed the readiness of members of the TESCON to work with the Tertiary Educational Institution Network (TEIN) of the NDC to complement efforts at bringing lasting peace to Bawku.
The TESCON president further appealed to the people of Bawku, especially the youth, to expose all those who come to lure them to ferment trouble.
He said as future leaders of the country, there was a lot more ahead of them than fighting one another, pointing out, that “We have to lay down the arms and rather concentrate on our education”.
He also appealed to the security agencies to remain as neutral as possible and prosecute all offenders without fear or favour.
This, Mr Abdul-Hakam, believed would send the right signals to troublemakers to desist from causing further troubles.
It said it was a known fact that the conflict in Bawku had taken a political dimension and therefore, there could only be peace if the two parties acted in a manner that would make the factions appreciate the need to live in peace with each other. The President of the Network, Mr Mohammed Abdul-Hakam, in an interview in Wa, said the approach to solving the conflict must change.
“For Bawku to see lasting peace, there is the need for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP to do the right thing and give up certain things for the sake of peace in Bawku and the entire country,” he stated.
He suggested that the time had come for the National House of Chiefs and other conflict resolution institutions to handle the crisis without any political interference.
Mr Abdul-Hakam also said President Atta Mills must reassign the current Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka, since his position could be a setback to the peace process.
On the peace initiative which was launched recently in Wa by a Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, Mr Abdul-Hakam stressed the readiness of members of the TESCON to work with the Tertiary Educational Institution Network (TEIN) of the NDC to complement efforts at bringing lasting peace to Bawku.
The TESCON president further appealed to the people of Bawku, especially the youth, to expose all those who come to lure them to ferment trouble.
He said as future leaders of the country, there was a lot more ahead of them than fighting one another, pointing out, that “We have to lay down the arms and rather concentrate on our education”.
He also appealed to the security agencies to remain as neutral as possible and prosecute all offenders without fear or favour.
This, Mr Abdul-Hakam, believed would send the right signals to troublemakers to desist from causing further troubles.
MOTORCYCLE...Bad master in U/W Region (MIRROR, NOV 14, PAGE 29)
From Chris Nunoo, Wa
Motorcycle riders in the Upper West Region who think they are smart and always try to outwit the police by not adhering to motor traffic regulations are now paying dearly for their lawlessness.
These motorists flout motor traffic regulations with impunity by failing to register their motorcycles, failing to acquire licences and failing to wear crash helmet when riding. Eventually, they end up in motor accidents, resulting in various degrees of serious injuries and deaths.
These accidents are so rampant that it is being suggested that motorcycles kill people more than diseases in the region.
One sad aspect of the situation is that after the accidents, the victims and the cases are left hanging, because they fail to report such cases to the police for fear of their motorcycles being impounded, or the rider being arrested and consequently prosecuted.
Motorcycles, which have now been acclaimed in the Upper West Region as a major means of transport, were first introduced into the area by missionaries and the Government for government agencies until some individuals managed to acquire and possessed them.
Presently, the Upper West Region has been invaded with all shapes and sizes of motorcycles, ranging from such brand names as Sukida, Yamaha, AG, among others, especially with the increase in population, courtesy the students of the Wa Polytechnic and the Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS).
Motorcycle mechanics and wholesalers, as well as wayside fuel dealers, have also emerged from every nook and cranny of the region.
Majority of these riders are the youth who prefer to hang their crash helmets on the motorcycle while riding, or would not even buy and wear it at all. Others also pretend to be wearing them anytime they spotted police officers approaching.
On several occasions, this attitude by the riders has led to clashes between the people and the police which has made the police to decide to sit back and watch, but strictly enforce the laws when cases of motorcycle accidents were brought before it.
Out of the 27 reported cases of accidents in the region which involve 43 vehicles as at March this year, almost all were motorcycle-related accidents.
Even though this trend reduced from 43 in 2008 to 27 in 2009, deaths from these accidents rather rose from 23 in 2008 to 24 in 2009, with 32 people sustaining various degrees of injuries.
Citing some fresh accident cases which occurred just last Saturday to support his argument, the Upper West regional Police Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), DSP John Ferguson Dzineku, told The Mirror that on November 7, 2009 at about 7 p.m, the police received a report of a motorcycle accident involving a 38-year-old man at Nakore, near Wa.
He said on reaching the scene, preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the victim, Zimpa Moses, who was riding a motorcycle with registration number UW 3183 Z and who died on the spot, could have survived the accident if he had his crash helmet on.
He rather had his helmet hanging on the motorcycle while riding.
DSP Dzineku said a post-mortem report indicated that the victim died from head injuries.
He said the motorcycle had since been impounded by the police, pending further investigations.
In another development, which also occurred in the morning of the same day, DSP Dzineku said a 13-year-old girl, Rahinatu Iddrisu, who was riding a bicycle also met her untimely death when she accidentally rode into the rear tyre of a moving articulated truck with registration number AS 509 U, which was being driven by one Seidu Nuhu.
He said Rahinatu sustained head injuries and was pronounced dead at the Wa Regional Hospital.
The MTTU Commander reiterated his call to motorcycle riders to abide by the rules and regulations such as wearing of crash helmets, registering their motorcycles and also acquiring licences through proper means.
“When the rider has all these, there would be no need for the police to prevent anyone from riding,” he said, pointing out that the police is around to protect lives and properties of the people.
Motorcycle riders in the Upper West Region who think they are smart and always try to outwit the police by not adhering to motor traffic regulations are now paying dearly for their lawlessness.
These motorists flout motor traffic regulations with impunity by failing to register their motorcycles, failing to acquire licences and failing to wear crash helmet when riding. Eventually, they end up in motor accidents, resulting in various degrees of serious injuries and deaths.
These accidents are so rampant that it is being suggested that motorcycles kill people more than diseases in the region.
One sad aspect of the situation is that after the accidents, the victims and the cases are left hanging, because they fail to report such cases to the police for fear of their motorcycles being impounded, or the rider being arrested and consequently prosecuted.
Motorcycles, which have now been acclaimed in the Upper West Region as a major means of transport, were first introduced into the area by missionaries and the Government for government agencies until some individuals managed to acquire and possessed them.
Presently, the Upper West Region has been invaded with all shapes and sizes of motorcycles, ranging from such brand names as Sukida, Yamaha, AG, among others, especially with the increase in population, courtesy the students of the Wa Polytechnic and the Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS).
Motorcycle mechanics and wholesalers, as well as wayside fuel dealers, have also emerged from every nook and cranny of the region.
Majority of these riders are the youth who prefer to hang their crash helmets on the motorcycle while riding, or would not even buy and wear it at all. Others also pretend to be wearing them anytime they spotted police officers approaching.
On several occasions, this attitude by the riders has led to clashes between the people and the police which has made the police to decide to sit back and watch, but strictly enforce the laws when cases of motorcycle accidents were brought before it.
Out of the 27 reported cases of accidents in the region which involve 43 vehicles as at March this year, almost all were motorcycle-related accidents.
Even though this trend reduced from 43 in 2008 to 27 in 2009, deaths from these accidents rather rose from 23 in 2008 to 24 in 2009, with 32 people sustaining various degrees of injuries.
Citing some fresh accident cases which occurred just last Saturday to support his argument, the Upper West regional Police Commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), DSP John Ferguson Dzineku, told The Mirror that on November 7, 2009 at about 7 p.m, the police received a report of a motorcycle accident involving a 38-year-old man at Nakore, near Wa.
He said on reaching the scene, preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the victim, Zimpa Moses, who was riding a motorcycle with registration number UW 3183 Z and who died on the spot, could have survived the accident if he had his crash helmet on.
He rather had his helmet hanging on the motorcycle while riding.
DSP Dzineku said a post-mortem report indicated that the victim died from head injuries.
He said the motorcycle had since been impounded by the police, pending further investigations.
In another development, which also occurred in the morning of the same day, DSP Dzineku said a 13-year-old girl, Rahinatu Iddrisu, who was riding a bicycle also met her untimely death when she accidentally rode into the rear tyre of a moving articulated truck with registration number AS 509 U, which was being driven by one Seidu Nuhu.
He said Rahinatu sustained head injuries and was pronounced dead at the Wa Regional Hospital.
The MTTU Commander reiterated his call to motorcycle riders to abide by the rules and regulations such as wearing of crash helmets, registering their motorcycles and also acquiring licences through proper means.
“When the rider has all these, there would be no need for the police to prevent anyone from riding,” he said, pointing out that the police is around to protect lives and properties of the people.
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