THE Upper West Area Manager of the Northern Electricity Department (NED) of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Mr Nathaniel Baena, has stressed the need for Ghanaians to be more concerned about the survival of the VRA.
He said that was imperative because the development of the nation would be a mirage if the VRA should collapse.
“Ghanaians must be concerned about the survival of the VRA because if it collapses, the whole country would collapse. This is because without electricity, the nation cannot develop,” Mr Baena stated.
Mr Baena expressed the concern when the Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji Issahaku Salia and his Deputy, Mr Caesar Kale called on the management of the VRA in Wa.
He was not happy about the irregular payment of electricity bills by the people.
Mr Baena said the tapping of electricity illegally by some residents of the area was also a matter of grave concern to the NED/VRA.
Alhaji Issahaku Salia and his entourage also called on the management of the Aqua Vitens Rand Limited (AVRL) where he was briefed on the water situation of the region.
The Regional Operations Officer of AVRL, Mr Ahmed Sorogho Tahiru, said the region had 17 mechanised boreholes out of which nine were automated.
He urged the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) to see to the execution of two major projects for the region, namely the sinking of additional boreholes and the construction of a commercial treatment plant from the Black Volta to supply water to the people of Wa and its environs.
Alhaji Salia gave the assurance that the government was putting the necessary measures in place to improve on the quality of utility services across the country.
He also urged the two institutions to collaborate to ensure the provision of efficient services.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
WA HOSPITAL IN DISTRESS...Following departure of Cuban doctors (BACK PAGE, AUGUST 27, 2010)
HEALTH delivery at the Wa Regional Hospital faces a major setback following the expiry this month of the tenure of five Cuban doctors who have been complementing the efforts of their two Ghanaian colleagues.
The situation leaves only the two Ghanaian doctors in a hospital built to operate with 25 doctors.
The Upper West Regional Director of Health, Dr Alexis Nang Beifubah, described the situation as “getting out of hand” and pleaded with the authorities to treat it as a matter of urgency.
Briefing the Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji Issahaku Salia, and his deputy, Mr Caesar Kale, during a visit to the hospital, Dr Beifubah said the time had come for the political heads in the region to help create the conditions that would attract doctors to the region.
He also called on the citizens to take up the challenge and help improve conditions at home rather than wait until national authorities come to the aid of the region.
He called for a massive improvement in the accommodation situation for workers, particularly health personnel in the region, pointing out that monetary incentives were also very important.
Citing examples from Bawku and Bolgatanga hospitals, Dr Nang Beifubah suggested that the respective local government assemblies be made to contribute some money into a common source which must be under the care of the regional minister, to make all the assemblies responsible for accommodation and other peculiar needs of health personnel posted to the districts.
“I think that the doctor-patient ratio in the Wa Regional Hospital and the entire region is very disturbing and our politicians must show much interest and must be seen to be working to address these issues,” the regional director said pathetically.
The medical director at the hospital, Dr Aduko Amiah, also expressed grave concern about the absence of adequate nurses at the hospital.
He said all the nurses at the hospital were ageing and that there was the need to really work hard to attract and retain younger ones.
He also expressed concern about the distance between the maternity ward of the hospital and the theatre, saying it was not in the best interest of both the medical personnel and the patients to have a theatre very far away from the maternity ward.
Dr Amiah, therefore, suggested that a theatre be constructed close to the maternity ward to avert any unforeseen problems.
Responding, the regional minister, Alhaji Issahaku Salia, said the RCC recognised the vital role health personnel played in the region and gave an assurance that he and his outfit were ever ready to assist in improving on healthcare delivery in the region.
He emphasised the need for the two institutions to collaborate effectively to address the challenges confronting the hospital.
The regional minister later donated 20 pieces of mattresses, a bull and 16 bags of cereals to the hospital.
The situation leaves only the two Ghanaian doctors in a hospital built to operate with 25 doctors.
The Upper West Regional Director of Health, Dr Alexis Nang Beifubah, described the situation as “getting out of hand” and pleaded with the authorities to treat it as a matter of urgency.
Briefing the Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji Issahaku Salia, and his deputy, Mr Caesar Kale, during a visit to the hospital, Dr Beifubah said the time had come for the political heads in the region to help create the conditions that would attract doctors to the region.
He also called on the citizens to take up the challenge and help improve conditions at home rather than wait until national authorities come to the aid of the region.
He called for a massive improvement in the accommodation situation for workers, particularly health personnel in the region, pointing out that monetary incentives were also very important.
Citing examples from Bawku and Bolgatanga hospitals, Dr Nang Beifubah suggested that the respective local government assemblies be made to contribute some money into a common source which must be under the care of the regional minister, to make all the assemblies responsible for accommodation and other peculiar needs of health personnel posted to the districts.
“I think that the doctor-patient ratio in the Wa Regional Hospital and the entire region is very disturbing and our politicians must show much interest and must be seen to be working to address these issues,” the regional director said pathetically.
The medical director at the hospital, Dr Aduko Amiah, also expressed grave concern about the absence of adequate nurses at the hospital.
He said all the nurses at the hospital were ageing and that there was the need to really work hard to attract and retain younger ones.
He also expressed concern about the distance between the maternity ward of the hospital and the theatre, saying it was not in the best interest of both the medical personnel and the patients to have a theatre very far away from the maternity ward.
Dr Amiah, therefore, suggested that a theatre be constructed close to the maternity ward to avert any unforeseen problems.
Responding, the regional minister, Alhaji Issahaku Salia, said the RCC recognised the vital role health personnel played in the region and gave an assurance that he and his outfit were ever ready to assist in improving on healthcare delivery in the region.
He emphasised the need for the two institutions to collaborate effectively to address the challenges confronting the hospital.
The regional minister later donated 20 pieces of mattresses, a bull and 16 bags of cereals to the hospital.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
SPREAD MESSAGE ON POPULATION CENSUS — YAKUBU (PAGE 22, AUGUST 24, 2010)
THE Chairman of the Upper West Regional Census Implementation Committee (RCIC), Mr David Yakubu, has stressed the need for stakeholders to consciously spread the message on the upcoming national housing and population census.
He said that prevented situations where people took to their heels when census officials got to their villages for them to be enumerated.
“The people in the village believe the enumerators are disciples of the devil and that if they count them, calamity will befall the entire village,” Mr Yakubu said.
He has, therefore, appealed to all to put their shoulders to the wheel and help spread the message on the exercise.
Mr Yakubu was addressing the opening of a day’s sensitisation workshop for personnel of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the Information Services Department (ISD) and media practitioners among other stakeholders in Wa in the Upper West Region.
He said the only way for a country to know its development parameters was to have an idea about the number of people living in the country, and that called for wider circulation of the message on the impending census.
The Regional Statistician, Mr Francis Nyarko-Larbi, gave the assurance that his outfit was far ahead with preparations towards the national exercise.
“Manuals and questionnaires have been developed, trainer of trainees have also been trained,” adding that what was left was the training of enumerators and the interview of short-listed applicants at the district level by next week,” he stated.
He said about 56,000 individuals would be trained for the exercise.
Mr Nyarko-Larbi urged the citizenry to feel free to give out information to enumerators since every information would be kept confidential.
“A non-census official should not handle census questionnaire and material,” he warned, and further advised people not to rush to travel to their hometowns or villages to be counted.
That, he explained, was because on the census night, which is September 26, 2010, everybody in the country irrespective of one’s location at the time would be covered.
On the role of the media in ensuring a successful national exercise, Mr Nyarko-Larbi stressed the need for them to intensify the education and the sensitisation of the populace.
He also appealed to the media to assist enumerators, especially, at potential conflict areas.
He said that prevented situations where people took to their heels when census officials got to their villages for them to be enumerated.
“The people in the village believe the enumerators are disciples of the devil and that if they count them, calamity will befall the entire village,” Mr Yakubu said.
He has, therefore, appealed to all to put their shoulders to the wheel and help spread the message on the exercise.
Mr Yakubu was addressing the opening of a day’s sensitisation workshop for personnel of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the Information Services Department (ISD) and media practitioners among other stakeholders in Wa in the Upper West Region.
He said the only way for a country to know its development parameters was to have an idea about the number of people living in the country, and that called for wider circulation of the message on the impending census.
The Regional Statistician, Mr Francis Nyarko-Larbi, gave the assurance that his outfit was far ahead with preparations towards the national exercise.
“Manuals and questionnaires have been developed, trainer of trainees have also been trained,” adding that what was left was the training of enumerators and the interview of short-listed applicants at the district level by next week,” he stated.
He said about 56,000 individuals would be trained for the exercise.
Mr Nyarko-Larbi urged the citizenry to feel free to give out information to enumerators since every information would be kept confidential.
“A non-census official should not handle census questionnaire and material,” he warned, and further advised people not to rush to travel to their hometowns or villages to be counted.
That, he explained, was because on the census night, which is September 26, 2010, everybody in the country irrespective of one’s location at the time would be covered.
On the role of the media in ensuring a successful national exercise, Mr Nyarko-Larbi stressed the need for them to intensify the education and the sensitisation of the populace.
He also appealed to the media to assist enumerators, especially, at potential conflict areas.
COLTS CHAMPIONSHIP OPENS AT WA (PAGE 31, AUGUST 24, 2010)
THE 13th edition of the national colts football competition has kicked off in Wa, the Upper West regional capital, with the objective of unearthing more talents from the grassroots to feed the country’s respective national teams.
The week-long tournament which is being played at four venues in the Wa municipality, namely Wa Senior High Technical School, the Islamic Senior High School, Wa Senior High School and the Wa stadium, has attracted 24 colts clubs drawn from the under 12 and 15 levels across the country.
They include Paa Badu Stars, Wa All Stars Babies, Tamale Shooting Starlets, Ankara FC, Dynamo FC, Anokye Stars and Oguaa United.
Addressing a ceremony to mark the opening of the games at the Wa stadium last Sunday, the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi, stressed the commitment of the FA to unearth more football talents, particularly from the under 12, 15 and the 17 levels.
He said juvenile football was the bedrock for the development of football at all levels and that the FA would place more emphasis on regional colts’ teams as against individual clubs. This, he said, was to ensure the survival of colts football.
Mr Nyantakyi advised the organisers not to encourage the use of over age players but to co-operate with the FA in that regard.
Mr Nyantakyi advised the young players to play their hearts out and exhibit their talents, pointing out that “in the next two years after the tournament the cream of the country’s under-17 national team must come from here”.
“We encourage you to also be in school and be serious with your studies. You will be a good footballer when you are in school because it helps you to polish your academic and sporting skills so that you do not become a liability to the country”, the FA president emphaisised.
He further expressed appreciation to all stakeholders such as the schools which offered their playgrounds for the tournaments and dormitories to house the teams and the media among other institutions for their immense support towards the organisation of the event.
The Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Caesar Kale, who graced the occasion, stressed the need for sports men and women to remain disciplined at all times and to train regularly.
He said the recent World Cup in South Africa was enough testimony that the country was a force to reckon with as far as world football was concerned and,therefore, urged the players to prove their worth.
The week-long tournament which is being played at four venues in the Wa municipality, namely Wa Senior High Technical School, the Islamic Senior High School, Wa Senior High School and the Wa stadium, has attracted 24 colts clubs drawn from the under 12 and 15 levels across the country.
They include Paa Badu Stars, Wa All Stars Babies, Tamale Shooting Starlets, Ankara FC, Dynamo FC, Anokye Stars and Oguaa United.
Addressing a ceremony to mark the opening of the games at the Wa stadium last Sunday, the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi, stressed the commitment of the FA to unearth more football talents, particularly from the under 12, 15 and the 17 levels.
He said juvenile football was the bedrock for the development of football at all levels and that the FA would place more emphasis on regional colts’ teams as against individual clubs. This, he said, was to ensure the survival of colts football.
Mr Nyantakyi advised the organisers not to encourage the use of over age players but to co-operate with the FA in that regard.
Mr Nyantakyi advised the young players to play their hearts out and exhibit their talents, pointing out that “in the next two years after the tournament the cream of the country’s under-17 national team must come from here”.
“We encourage you to also be in school and be serious with your studies. You will be a good footballer when you are in school because it helps you to polish your academic and sporting skills so that you do not become a liability to the country”, the FA president emphaisised.
He further expressed appreciation to all stakeholders such as the schools which offered their playgrounds for the tournaments and dormitories to house the teams and the media among other institutions for their immense support towards the organisation of the event.
The Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Caesar Kale, who graced the occasion, stressed the need for sports men and women to remain disciplined at all times and to train regularly.
He said the recent World Cup in South Africa was enough testimony that the country was a force to reckon with as far as world football was concerned and,therefore, urged the players to prove their worth.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
WA WEST TO CULTIVATE 20,000 EXOTIC MANGOES (PAGE 22, AUGUST 14, 2010)
THE Wa West District Assembly is to cultivate 20,000 exotic mangoes interspersed with sunflower for export.
The GH¢260,000 project covering about 80 acres would be funded by the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF).
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Seidu Tungbani, disclosed this to the new Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji Issahaku Salia, during a working visit to the district.
The Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Caesar Kale, led Alhaji Salia to tour the district.
The Regional Minister said 200 farmers had been roped into the project under the Wa West Co-operative Mango Farmers Association.
“Because we have two paramountcies in this district, we have decided that 100 of the farmers should come from the Dorimon paramountcy while the other 100 comes from Wechiau, the district capital,” he explained, adding that each farmer would be entitled to an acre of land.
Mr Tungbani further stated that the funds would go into the preparation of the land, servicing of pipes and support structures, the purchase of a tractor and accessories, mango seedlings, weedicides and insecticides as well as other farming implements.
He said to ensure the successful implementation of the project and for the farmers to have a feeling of ownership of the project, a management team made up of some selected farmers had been set up to effectively manage the assets of the entire farmers.
The management team, the DCE said, included a representative from the respective villages where the farmer association was proactive.
Addressing heads of department later at the district assembly hall, the DCE expressed gratitude to them and members of the assembly for the co-operation given him since he assumed office, and urged them to keep it up.
Alhaji Salia commended the heads of department and members of the assembly for working hard towards the development of the district in particular, and the region in general.
He appealed to them to exercise restraint as the government was on track to bring development to the people.
Alhaji Salia and his entourage also called on the paramount chief of the Dorimon Traditional Area, Naa S.D. Gore, at his palace where he called for the support of the chiefs, stressing that he would seek their advice and suggestions when the need arose.
Naa Gore, who is the President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, was not happy about the frequency at which the region kept changing political leaders.
“We are the last region in the country but the manner in which we change political leadership is not good,” he stressed and urged the regional minister to check the activities of foot soldiers of his political party.
The GH¢260,000 project covering about 80 acres would be funded by the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF).
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Seidu Tungbani, disclosed this to the new Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji Issahaku Salia, during a working visit to the district.
The Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Caesar Kale, led Alhaji Salia to tour the district.
The Regional Minister said 200 farmers had been roped into the project under the Wa West Co-operative Mango Farmers Association.
“Because we have two paramountcies in this district, we have decided that 100 of the farmers should come from the Dorimon paramountcy while the other 100 comes from Wechiau, the district capital,” he explained, adding that each farmer would be entitled to an acre of land.
Mr Tungbani further stated that the funds would go into the preparation of the land, servicing of pipes and support structures, the purchase of a tractor and accessories, mango seedlings, weedicides and insecticides as well as other farming implements.
He said to ensure the successful implementation of the project and for the farmers to have a feeling of ownership of the project, a management team made up of some selected farmers had been set up to effectively manage the assets of the entire farmers.
The management team, the DCE said, included a representative from the respective villages where the farmer association was proactive.
Addressing heads of department later at the district assembly hall, the DCE expressed gratitude to them and members of the assembly for the co-operation given him since he assumed office, and urged them to keep it up.
Alhaji Salia commended the heads of department and members of the assembly for working hard towards the development of the district in particular, and the region in general.
He appealed to them to exercise restraint as the government was on track to bring development to the people.
Alhaji Salia and his entourage also called on the paramount chief of the Dorimon Traditional Area, Naa S.D. Gore, at his palace where he called for the support of the chiefs, stressing that he would seek their advice and suggestions when the need arose.
Naa Gore, who is the President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, was not happy about the frequency at which the region kept changing political leaders.
“We are the last region in the country but the manner in which we change political leadership is not good,” he stressed and urged the regional minister to check the activities of foot soldiers of his political party.
Friday, August 13, 2010
GAWU SUPPORTS WA FARMERS (PAGE 22, AUGUST 13, 2010)
150 farmers from five communities in the Wa Municipality have received protective clothing worth GH¢1,850 to boost their farming activities.
The items including nose masks, gloves spraying machines and Wellington boots, were donated by the General Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) with support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Presenting the items, the Upper West Regional Industrial Relations Officer, Mr Alfred M. Ingah said the items were a token from the GAWU to promote the farming operations of rural women farmers from Kperisi, Sagu, Guli, Kunjeihi and Chegile.
He said it was also to empower the farmers economically through post-harvest management.
Mr Ingah called for the strengthening of the various farmer groups through training programmes organised for them in their respective communities.
He expressed the hope that the farmers would use the items effectively to enhance post-harvest management.
Mr Ingah told the farmers that even though the items belonged to the communities, it must remain with those who were members of GAWU.
He further assured the farmers that they would be assisted on how to use the machines.
The Regional Chairperson of GAWU, Madam Cecilia Mwin advised the farmers on the side-effects of the chemicals.
The items including nose masks, gloves spraying machines and Wellington boots, were donated by the General Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) with support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Presenting the items, the Upper West Regional Industrial Relations Officer, Mr Alfred M. Ingah said the items were a token from the GAWU to promote the farming operations of rural women farmers from Kperisi, Sagu, Guli, Kunjeihi and Chegile.
He said it was also to empower the farmers economically through post-harvest management.
Mr Ingah called for the strengthening of the various farmer groups through training programmes organised for them in their respective communities.
He expressed the hope that the farmers would use the items effectively to enhance post-harvest management.
Mr Ingah told the farmers that even though the items belonged to the communities, it must remain with those who were members of GAWU.
He further assured the farmers that they would be assisted on how to use the machines.
The Regional Chairperson of GAWU, Madam Cecilia Mwin advised the farmers on the side-effects of the chemicals.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
ASSEMBLY INITIATES MANGO EXPORT PROJECT (PAGE 51, AUGUST 12, 2010)
THE Wa West District Assembly has initiated a project under which 20,000 exotic mangoes are to be cultivated, interspersed with sunflower for export.
The project, which is expected to cover about 200 acres, is being financed by the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) at a cost of GH¢260,000.
About 200 farmers from the Dorimon and Wechiau Traditional areas are expected to benefit from the project.
The Wa District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Seidu Tungbani, announced this when the Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji Issahaku Salia, paid a working visit to the district.
“Because we have two paramountcies in this district, we have decided that 100 of the farmers will come from Dorimon, while the other 100 come from Wechiau, the district capital,” he explained.
He said each farmer would be entitled to an acre of land.
Mr Tungbani further explained that the funds would go into the preparation of the land, the laying of service pipes and support structures, the purchase of a tractor and accessories, mango seedlings, weedicides, insecticides, as well as other farming implements.
To ensure the successful implementation of the project and for the farmers to have a feeling of it, the DCE said a management team made up of some selected farmers had been set up to effectively manage the project.
Addressing heads of departments later at the district assembly hall, the DCE expressed his gratitude to members of the assembly and the heads of departments for the level of co-operation accorded him since he assumed office and urged them to keep it up.
Alhaji Salia commended the heads of departments and members of the assembly for working to bring the district and the entire region that far.
He appealed to them to exercise restraint, as the government was on track in working to bring development to the people.
Alhaji Salia and his entourage also called on the Paramount Chief of the Dorimon Traditional Area, Naa S. D. Gore, at his palace, where the regional minister called for the support of the chiefs, saying he would not hesitate to seek their advice and suggestions.
The project, which is expected to cover about 200 acres, is being financed by the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) at a cost of GH¢260,000.
About 200 farmers from the Dorimon and Wechiau Traditional areas are expected to benefit from the project.
The Wa District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Seidu Tungbani, announced this when the Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji Issahaku Salia, paid a working visit to the district.
“Because we have two paramountcies in this district, we have decided that 100 of the farmers will come from Dorimon, while the other 100 come from Wechiau, the district capital,” he explained.
He said each farmer would be entitled to an acre of land.
Mr Tungbani further explained that the funds would go into the preparation of the land, the laying of service pipes and support structures, the purchase of a tractor and accessories, mango seedlings, weedicides, insecticides, as well as other farming implements.
To ensure the successful implementation of the project and for the farmers to have a feeling of it, the DCE said a management team made up of some selected farmers had been set up to effectively manage the project.
Addressing heads of departments later at the district assembly hall, the DCE expressed his gratitude to members of the assembly and the heads of departments for the level of co-operation accorded him since he assumed office and urged them to keep it up.
Alhaji Salia commended the heads of departments and members of the assembly for working to bring the district and the entire region that far.
He appealed to them to exercise restraint, as the government was on track in working to bring development to the people.
Alhaji Salia and his entourage also called on the Paramount Chief of the Dorimon Traditional Area, Naa S. D. Gore, at his palace, where the regional minister called for the support of the chiefs, saying he would not hesitate to seek their advice and suggestions.
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