Nurudeen Salifu, Buipe
IT is just a year and two months since Mr Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite assumed office as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Chereponi.
He emerged victorious in a by-election in that constituency on October 27, 2009.
Mr Jabanyite has, however, already risen above expectations to prove to his people that they made no mistake in electing him into office.
A former assembly member having the zeal to bring positive change under a regime already promising a ‘Better Ghana’, Mr Jabanyite has set out to improve the welfare of his people beyond what a legislator could do.
Despite his short stay in parliament, the MP has brought significant progress to his constituency.
He has spearheaded development activities in sectors such as education, health, agriculture, water, institutional capacity building and good governance.
Education is probably the area that has received the greatest support from the MP since he assumed office. With funding from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and the Northern Regional Poverty Reduction Programme (NORPREP), the MP has initiated many educational projects in his constituency.
The projects include the construction of six-unit classroom blocks at Asari, Waku and Konaka-Bosu; three-unit classroom blocks at Tacheiku, Gilma, Masawusi and Bukasu, and a boys’ dormitory block at the Chereponi Senior High School, which is currently at the documentation stage.
Mr Jabanyite has also provided 700 units of dual desks for 15 schools, in addition to the fabrication of staff furniture for five new schools.
Mr Jabanyite has used his share of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund to settle the fees of 20 students from the district who are in second-cycle and tertiary institutions.
He has used part of those funds to supply sporting kits for 30 schools in the district, as well as support the rehabilitation of a teachers’ quarters at Tambong.
In addition to all those projects, Mr Jabanyite has procured a photocopier cum scanner and printer from his private resources for the Chereponi Senior High School.
On health, the MP, has with funding from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), provided six sets of delivery and dressing sets for clinics at Bunburiga, Gerinkuka, Wonjuju, Nansoni, Wenchiki and Tombu.
He has also provided the Chereponi Health Centre and the Wenchiki Clinic with a 15-seater Ford Van and a 4x4 Nissan Frontier Pick-Up vehicles.
He said the Ford Van was donated by Dwummoh and Family in Denver Co in the United States of America.
Aside of those initiatives, the MP has supported the Chereponi Health Centre with an auto-clip machine and 100 anti-snake vaccines, which were hitherto in short supply, thereby leading to the demise of victims of snake bites.
Water, they say, is life. Indeed, the lack of potable sources of water has been the challenge facing rural communities and those in the Chereponi district are no exception.
Since assuming office, Mr Jabanyite has used part of his share of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund for the rehabilitation of 10 broken down boreholes in nine communities, including Nanchem, Naboni and Naduni.
Plans are also underway to commence the drilling of 16 more boreholes to be jointly funded by the World Vision, National Security Office and the MPs Common Fund.
“I hope with these projects, water provision in my district would undergo significant improvement,” he told the Daily Graphic.
Indeed, ignoring agriculture would be tantamount to breaking the camel’s back since agriculture is the mainstay of rural communities and, indisputably, the backbone of the nation’s economy.
Mr Jabanyite has personally facilitated the acquisition of 12 new tractors, two shellers and a planter to support the work of farmers in the district.
He has also facilitated the provision of 6,250 bags of fertilisers to farmers at subsidised prices during the previous farming season.
During the celebration of the 2010 Farmers’ Day in the district, Mr Jabanyite donated a motorcycle and three Knapsack sprayers to the district agricultural directorate to be donated to outstanding farmers.
In an interview, the MP said he had also impressed upon the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to construct a new dam at Wenchiki for irrigation.
He said another dam would be constructed by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) in Adali.
As part of efforts to strengthen the work at institutions and departments working in the district, the MP recently presented motorcycles to seven institutions.
They included the Ghana Police Service, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Service, the Ghana Immigration Service and the National Commission For Civic Education (NCCE).
Currently, Mr Jabanyite is working assiduously with the district chief executive for the area to start a community radio station at Chereponi. Already, he has facilitated the acquisition of the transmission equipment and is waiting for certification from the National Communications Authority (NCA).
With these and many other initiatives being implemented by Mr Jabanyite, the chiefs and people of Chereponi appear to have been impressed by the MP’s performance.
At a recent durbar organised by the MP to give an account of his stewardship so far, the Chief of Chereponi, Feme Jaminja Malba Gomna, commended him for his achievements during his short stay in office.
The chief said the initiatives of the MP had helped in improving the lives of the people, particularly in the areas of health and education.
Malba Gomna, however, entreated the MP not to be complacent but continue to persevere and justify his election as their representative in Parliament.
The DCE for Chereponi, Alhaji Mohammed Issah Seidu Abah, also confirmed the success story of the MP, adding that the assembly would continue to work hand-in-hand with him to enhance the progress of the area.
For now, the question is: “Can the MP’s performance help him retain his seat?”
Monday, January 31, 2011
Buipe flood victims queue for relief items (PAGE 35, JAN 31, 2011)
Nurudeen Salifu, Buipe
HUNDREDS of people from the Central Gonja District in the Northern Region continue to receive relief items being provided by various organisations and institutions many weeks after the floods.
A number of the victims had their houses submerged and property running into thousands of Ghana cedis destroyed in last October’s disaster as a result of the heavy rains and the opening of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso making the Black Volta overflow its banks.
Last week, the Ghana Red Cross Society distributed relief items worth US$250,000 to about 6,000 vulnerable households in the Central Gonja and West Mamprusi Districts where some of the worst flood-affected communities were located.
Whilst the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies provided US$200,000 for the provision of non-food items, the Chinese Red Cross provided US$50,000 for the supply of food items.
There was a glimmer of hope for the distressed persons as they waited anxiously to receive their rations.
Having been displaced and incapacitated from fending for themselves, these vulnerable people could not hide their excitement as each family picked home a maxi bag of maize and rice, together with cooking oil.
Although the items were not enough for each of the affected families, a 40-year-old mother of seven, Ms Janet Ashiagbor, whose rented compound house collapsed, said “it would provide us some temporary relief whilst we try to rebuild our lives.”
During the distribution of the items, the acting Secretary General of the Ghana Red Cross Society, Mr Samuel Kofi Addo told the Daily Graphic that the agency was targeting 1000 families to benefit from the food aid, which began from January 19 to 21, 2011.
“Earlier, we undertook the distribution of the non-food items to about 5,000 families,” he stated.
Mr Addo said the families, which were selected to benefit from the relief items, were those who had been identified to be more vulnerable, adding that “these families comprise pregnant women, lactating mothers, children and the elderly”.
In a release on the distribution exercise, the Red Cross explained that its response to the flood disaster was categorised into phases.
The first phase, it stated, was the search and rescue phase where with the help of its volunteer corps, the Red Cross rescued and evacuated victims of the disaster to safety.
Whilst the second phase involved the assessment and registration of victims, the third phase, termed the “recovery phase”, was the point at which relief items were being provided for the victims.
The secretary-general told the paper that a fourth phase would be undertaken, which would involve the deployment of some volunteers to stay in the communities and sensitise people to various ways of observing proper sanitation and preventing the outbreak of diseases.
In October, last year, 55 communities in the district, including parts of the district capital, Buipe, were inundated following the overflow of the Volta Rivers.
Two persons died as a result of the floods and over 25,000 people, mostly women and children, were displaced. The number of houses which were submerged were estimated at 4,000.
To date, most of the displaced persons are yet to be resettled as the water level is receding slowly.
Whilst many victims have relocated to other areas to live with friends and relatives, others are still staying at the temporary camps provided by the assembly.
HUNDREDS of people from the Central Gonja District in the Northern Region continue to receive relief items being provided by various organisations and institutions many weeks after the floods.
A number of the victims had their houses submerged and property running into thousands of Ghana cedis destroyed in last October’s disaster as a result of the heavy rains and the opening of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso making the Black Volta overflow its banks.
Last week, the Ghana Red Cross Society distributed relief items worth US$250,000 to about 6,000 vulnerable households in the Central Gonja and West Mamprusi Districts where some of the worst flood-affected communities were located.
Whilst the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies provided US$200,000 for the provision of non-food items, the Chinese Red Cross provided US$50,000 for the supply of food items.
There was a glimmer of hope for the distressed persons as they waited anxiously to receive their rations.
Having been displaced and incapacitated from fending for themselves, these vulnerable people could not hide their excitement as each family picked home a maxi bag of maize and rice, together with cooking oil.
Although the items were not enough for each of the affected families, a 40-year-old mother of seven, Ms Janet Ashiagbor, whose rented compound house collapsed, said “it would provide us some temporary relief whilst we try to rebuild our lives.”
During the distribution of the items, the acting Secretary General of the Ghana Red Cross Society, Mr Samuel Kofi Addo told the Daily Graphic that the agency was targeting 1000 families to benefit from the food aid, which began from January 19 to 21, 2011.
“Earlier, we undertook the distribution of the non-food items to about 5,000 families,” he stated.
Mr Addo said the families, which were selected to benefit from the relief items, were those who had been identified to be more vulnerable, adding that “these families comprise pregnant women, lactating mothers, children and the elderly”.
In a release on the distribution exercise, the Red Cross explained that its response to the flood disaster was categorised into phases.
The first phase, it stated, was the search and rescue phase where with the help of its volunteer corps, the Red Cross rescued and evacuated victims of the disaster to safety.
Whilst the second phase involved the assessment and registration of victims, the third phase, termed the “recovery phase”, was the point at which relief items were being provided for the victims.
The secretary-general told the paper that a fourth phase would be undertaken, which would involve the deployment of some volunteers to stay in the communities and sensitise people to various ways of observing proper sanitation and preventing the outbreak of diseases.
In October, last year, 55 communities in the district, including parts of the district capital, Buipe, were inundated following the overflow of the Volta Rivers.
Two persons died as a result of the floods and over 25,000 people, mostly women and children, were displaced. The number of houses which were submerged were estimated at 4,000.
To date, most of the displaced persons are yet to be resettled as the water level is receding slowly.
Whilst many victims have relocated to other areas to live with friends and relatives, others are still staying at the temporary camps provided by the assembly.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
FLOOD VICTIMS REBUILDING HOMES ON FLOOD PLAINS (PAGE 35, JAN 26, 2011)
IN spite of the damage caused to their homes and property worth millions of Ghana cedis, some of the people who were displaced by floods at Buipe in the Central Gonja District in the Northern Region are rebuilding their homes on the flood plains of the Black Volta.
The likelihood of another flood disaster is imminent if the intensity of the rains this year is closer to or surpasses what happened last year.
Masons are on site in some parts of the Buipe bridge area busily reconstructing collapsed houses and putting up new ones. Unfortunately, some of these buildings are constructed with mud.
The Daily Graphic questioned some of the landlords why they were refusing to move and they were unanimous in stating that they had lived in that area for many years.
“This is where I was born and I have lived here since then. There have never been floods so devastating like last year’s. I don’t think it would occur again,” Afa Abdulai, a landlord, stated.
“This area is the main business area of Buipe and so we live and do business here. We cannot afford to move from here,” another landlord, Mr Abudu Mohammed, also remarked.
In an interview, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Central Gonja, Mr Salisu Be-Awuribe, revealed that the assembly was instituting a long-term measure that would ensure the permanent relocation of the people living on the flood plains.
“We are currently redesigning the Buipe Planning Scheme and it would involve relocating inhabitants who live close to the river banks to safer grounds,” he stated.
Mr Be-Awuribe said the assembly had engaged the chiefs and entreated them to release lands to facilitate the resettlement process.
He stated that the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) was also designing a flood mitigation strategy for the northern sector of the country and would soon implement it, if funds were available.
Meanwhile, many parts around the Buipe bridge, closer to the banks of the Black Volta, still remain under water although it is over 10 weeks since the floods occurred.
The water is receding at a slow pace and some of the displaced persons are still lodging in temporary camps provided by the assembly.
The floods have also left in its wake, a sanitation menace, as the only two public toilets in the Buipe bridge area are still in water.
Due to the absence of a functioning toilet, some of the residents have resorted to the use of polythene bags, which are disposed improperly.
Children can also be seen squatting along pathways in between houses easing themselves, usually into containers or polythene bags.
“For us, we go far away into the bush to defecate,” Mma Ayisha, a resident of the area told this paper.
She lamented the poor state of sanitation in the area, saying “Sometimes you’ll be walking along a pathway and you’ll find faeces everywhere.”
Mma Ayisha entreated the district assembly to try and rehabilitate the toilet in order to remedy the situation.
The DCE told the Daily Graphic that the assembly in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), had acquired 15 emergency mobile toilets.
“We would be placing them at vantage points in the district to ease the sanitation problem in the district,” he stated.
The likelihood of another flood disaster is imminent if the intensity of the rains this year is closer to or surpasses what happened last year.
Masons are on site in some parts of the Buipe bridge area busily reconstructing collapsed houses and putting up new ones. Unfortunately, some of these buildings are constructed with mud.
The Daily Graphic questioned some of the landlords why they were refusing to move and they were unanimous in stating that they had lived in that area for many years.
“This is where I was born and I have lived here since then. There have never been floods so devastating like last year’s. I don’t think it would occur again,” Afa Abdulai, a landlord, stated.
“This area is the main business area of Buipe and so we live and do business here. We cannot afford to move from here,” another landlord, Mr Abudu Mohammed, also remarked.
In an interview, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Central Gonja, Mr Salisu Be-Awuribe, revealed that the assembly was instituting a long-term measure that would ensure the permanent relocation of the people living on the flood plains.
“We are currently redesigning the Buipe Planning Scheme and it would involve relocating inhabitants who live close to the river banks to safer grounds,” he stated.
Mr Be-Awuribe said the assembly had engaged the chiefs and entreated them to release lands to facilitate the resettlement process.
He stated that the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) was also designing a flood mitigation strategy for the northern sector of the country and would soon implement it, if funds were available.
Meanwhile, many parts around the Buipe bridge, closer to the banks of the Black Volta, still remain under water although it is over 10 weeks since the floods occurred.
The water is receding at a slow pace and some of the displaced persons are still lodging in temporary camps provided by the assembly.
The floods have also left in its wake, a sanitation menace, as the only two public toilets in the Buipe bridge area are still in water.
Due to the absence of a functioning toilet, some of the residents have resorted to the use of polythene bags, which are disposed improperly.
Children can also be seen squatting along pathways in between houses easing themselves, usually into containers or polythene bags.
“For us, we go far away into the bush to defecate,” Mma Ayisha, a resident of the area told this paper.
She lamented the poor state of sanitation in the area, saying “Sometimes you’ll be walking along a pathway and you’ll find faeces everywhere.”
Mma Ayisha entreated the district assembly to try and rehabilitate the toilet in order to remedy the situation.
The DCE told the Daily Graphic that the assembly in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), had acquired 15 emergency mobile toilets.
“We would be placing them at vantage points in the district to ease the sanitation problem in the district,” he stated.
Monday, January 24, 2011
BUSH FIRES: 9 ARRESTED (PAGE 3, JAN 24, 2011)
NINE people who set fire to farms and bushes at Nyameriga, about 45 kilometres from Tamale, in their quest for game, were arrested by the Police Mobile Task Force on Saturday.
The nine, who were among a group of 50, also inflicted machete wounds on a farmer who chided them for setting fire to his farm.
They were arrested following an urgent report made to the Northern Regional Police Command by the Northern Regional Director of the EPA, Mr Iddrisu Abu.
Six of the nine were identified as juveniles and have been placed in custody in the juvenile cells at the Sakasaka Police Station.
The rest are Osman Latif, 20, a farmer; Adam Fuseini Neindow, 20, an electrician, and Osman Adam, 18, a student.
The police said investigations would soon commence on the matter and the appropriate charges preferred against them.
Mr Abu told the Daily Graphic that the group set ablaze farms and bushes in the community, which is in the East Gonja District, when they went on a hunting expedition on motorbikes and bicycles.
He said in the process, they set fire to a 36-acre cow pea farm because a rodent they were pursuing had supposedly run into the nearby farm.
He said the owner of the farm approached the group and scolded them for setting his farm on fire, adding that in the heat of the exchanges, a member of the group inflicted machete wounds on the farmer.
He said the victim was currently responding to treatment.
The director noted that since the beginning of the dry season, officials of the EPA, including himself, had been sensitising people in the community to bush burning.
“We also provide them our contact numbers and encourage them to call us anytime fire is set to bushes in their communities,” he added.
Each year, fires are set to the bushes mostly by game hunters and farmers who intend to clear the old vegetation in preparation for planting.
However, the fires often lead to the destruction of food crops and economic trees such as rice, cow pea, shea nut, dawadawa and mango.
This year, many rice farms have been destroyed, one of which was situated on an 87-hectare land at Kpalkori in the Tamale metropolis which belonged to members of the Northern Youth for Peace and Development, a Tamale-based civil society organisation.
Although the EPA had, on countless occasions, spoken against the setting of wild fires, it had rarely bared its teeth at offenders due partly to limited logistics and ineffective collaboration from other partners, such as the security agencies and the judiciary.
The district assemblies have also not been proactive in halting the practice, nor have they been enforcing bye-laws that prohibit bush burning.
Two weeks ago, the Central Gonja District Assembly issued a warning to all persons in the area to avoid the practice of bush burning or face punishment.
In a release signed by the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Salisu Be-Awuribe, the assembly noted that “hunting for game and its antecedent setting of wild fires, especially the activities of organised hunters, are prohibited in the Central Gonja District”.
“Any such activity contravenes sections I and II of the Control and Prevention of Bushfires Law 1990, PNDC Law 229, and Central Gonja District Assembly bye-laws,” the release stated.
The nine, who were among a group of 50, also inflicted machete wounds on a farmer who chided them for setting fire to his farm.
They were arrested following an urgent report made to the Northern Regional Police Command by the Northern Regional Director of the EPA, Mr Iddrisu Abu.
Six of the nine were identified as juveniles and have been placed in custody in the juvenile cells at the Sakasaka Police Station.
The rest are Osman Latif, 20, a farmer; Adam Fuseini Neindow, 20, an electrician, and Osman Adam, 18, a student.
The police said investigations would soon commence on the matter and the appropriate charges preferred against them.
Mr Abu told the Daily Graphic that the group set ablaze farms and bushes in the community, which is in the East Gonja District, when they went on a hunting expedition on motorbikes and bicycles.
He said in the process, they set fire to a 36-acre cow pea farm because a rodent they were pursuing had supposedly run into the nearby farm.
He said the owner of the farm approached the group and scolded them for setting his farm on fire, adding that in the heat of the exchanges, a member of the group inflicted machete wounds on the farmer.
He said the victim was currently responding to treatment.
The director noted that since the beginning of the dry season, officials of the EPA, including himself, had been sensitising people in the community to bush burning.
“We also provide them our contact numbers and encourage them to call us anytime fire is set to bushes in their communities,” he added.
Each year, fires are set to the bushes mostly by game hunters and farmers who intend to clear the old vegetation in preparation for planting.
However, the fires often lead to the destruction of food crops and economic trees such as rice, cow pea, shea nut, dawadawa and mango.
This year, many rice farms have been destroyed, one of which was situated on an 87-hectare land at Kpalkori in the Tamale metropolis which belonged to members of the Northern Youth for Peace and Development, a Tamale-based civil society organisation.
Although the EPA had, on countless occasions, spoken against the setting of wild fires, it had rarely bared its teeth at offenders due partly to limited logistics and ineffective collaboration from other partners, such as the security agencies and the judiciary.
The district assemblies have also not been proactive in halting the practice, nor have they been enforcing bye-laws that prohibit bush burning.
Two weeks ago, the Central Gonja District Assembly issued a warning to all persons in the area to avoid the practice of bush burning or face punishment.
In a release signed by the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Salisu Be-Awuribe, the assembly noted that “hunting for game and its antecedent setting of wild fires, especially the activities of organised hunters, are prohibited in the Central Gonja District”.
“Any such activity contravenes sections I and II of the Control and Prevention of Bushfires Law 1990, PNDC Law 229, and Central Gonja District Assembly bye-laws,” the release stated.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
GOIL DONATES TO TAMALE CHILDREN'S HOME (PAGE 22, JAN 20, 2011)
THE Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL) has presented assorted items to the Tamale Children’s Home, located at Nyohini, to support the upkeep of the children.
The items, worth GH¢1,000 comprised, two bags of rice, a bag of sugar, milk powder, cooking oil, biscuits, insecticides and toffees. The company also made a cash donation of GH¢1,000 to the home.
The Northern Zonal Manager for Goil, Mr Francis Acquah, who made the presentation, noted that as part of fulfilling its corporate social responsibility, GOIL gives assistance to needy institutions throughout the country on a yearly basis.
“As you know, the company’s motto is ‘sharing good things in business’. We, therefore, share some of our earnings with the needy as a way of cushioning them against the difficulties of life,” he stated.
Mr Acquah stressed that the corporate world and well-to-do members of society must not forget institutions such as orphanages, because the people there were equally human beings who needed a little push to also develop their skills to become useful citizens.
He commended the caretakers of the orphanages, but entreated them to remain honest and committed to discharging their duties.
The Supervisor of the Tamale Children’s Home, Madam Augustina Quainoo, expressed gratitude to GOIL for its support to the home.
She gave the assurance that the items would be utilised wisely to benefit the children.
Madam Augustina said the home was currently taking care of 27 children, with the oldest being 16years whilst the youngest was about a month-old.
She commended Rev. Father Matthew Ballimas for starting a project to fence the home and appealed to other organisations to help in completing the project.
The items, worth GH¢1,000 comprised, two bags of rice, a bag of sugar, milk powder, cooking oil, biscuits, insecticides and toffees. The company also made a cash donation of GH¢1,000 to the home.
The Northern Zonal Manager for Goil, Mr Francis Acquah, who made the presentation, noted that as part of fulfilling its corporate social responsibility, GOIL gives assistance to needy institutions throughout the country on a yearly basis.
“As you know, the company’s motto is ‘sharing good things in business’. We, therefore, share some of our earnings with the needy as a way of cushioning them against the difficulties of life,” he stated.
Mr Acquah stressed that the corporate world and well-to-do members of society must not forget institutions such as orphanages, because the people there were equally human beings who needed a little push to also develop their skills to become useful citizens.
He commended the caretakers of the orphanages, but entreated them to remain honest and committed to discharging their duties.
The Supervisor of the Tamale Children’s Home, Madam Augustina Quainoo, expressed gratitude to GOIL for its support to the home.
She gave the assurance that the items would be utilised wisely to benefit the children.
Madam Augustina said the home was currently taking care of 27 children, with the oldest being 16years whilst the youngest was about a month-old.
She commended Rev. Father Matthew Ballimas for starting a project to fence the home and appealed to other organisations to help in completing the project.
SERVE GHANA MORE THAN YOU WANT TO BE SERVED (PAGE 23, JAN 19, 2011)
AS Ghanaians formulate and adopt their New Year resolutions, one of Ghana’s elderly statesmen, Lawyer Ibrahim Mahama, recommends that each Ghanaian makes room for a collective national resolution.
What is the resolution? That every Ghanaian should resolve to serve the country more than they wanted to be served!
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Tamale, Lawyer Mahama noted that the New Year would remain same like previous ones, unless citizens were more willing to sacrifice and deliver in their respective roles.
He said the challenges facing this country were not the lack of resources and expertise, but the lack of personal drive on the part of leaders and the people to transform the nation, irrespective of monetary gains.
“It appears most people are only prepared to give their best if the nation can pay them highly, but that is not the mark of a loyal citizen,” he stated.
The former minister noted that countries such as the US, France and Germany had attained a high level of development because “once upon a time, some citizens of these countries like coal mine workers toiled to build their countries to the present level.”
“Ghana is not far from being the Utopian society that we all want it to be, but that can only be possible if we look beyond our individual interests and work towards the greater interest of the nation,” he added.
Lawyer Mahama mentioned that the New Year could hold better prospects for the country if citizens were willing to change their attitudes.
“We need to change the way we do politics and the way we approach our responsibilities. We can not move this nation into a middle-income country if we waste productive hours doing unproductive things,” he added.
Commenting on the electioneering season that would kick-start in 2011, the one-time presidential campaigner stressed the need for politicians to avoid ‘hitting below the belt’.
“As for campaigning for votes, it is unavoidable. But we can avoid the insults and the verbal blows that raise the temperature of the political climate,” he mentioned.
Lawyer Mahama defended President Mills’ indulgence in prayer, explaining that “without God’s favour and mercy, all what we humans would do would amount to nothing.”
“It is God alone who grants life, prosperity and happiness and so we need to draw much closer to him by eschewing vices, such as corruption, violence and petty bickering,” he further stated.
What is the resolution? That every Ghanaian should resolve to serve the country more than they wanted to be served!
In an interview with the Daily Graphic in Tamale, Lawyer Mahama noted that the New Year would remain same like previous ones, unless citizens were more willing to sacrifice and deliver in their respective roles.
He said the challenges facing this country were not the lack of resources and expertise, but the lack of personal drive on the part of leaders and the people to transform the nation, irrespective of monetary gains.
“It appears most people are only prepared to give their best if the nation can pay them highly, but that is not the mark of a loyal citizen,” he stated.
The former minister noted that countries such as the US, France and Germany had attained a high level of development because “once upon a time, some citizens of these countries like coal mine workers toiled to build their countries to the present level.”
“Ghana is not far from being the Utopian society that we all want it to be, but that can only be possible if we look beyond our individual interests and work towards the greater interest of the nation,” he added.
Lawyer Mahama mentioned that the New Year could hold better prospects for the country if citizens were willing to change their attitudes.
“We need to change the way we do politics and the way we approach our responsibilities. We can not move this nation into a middle-income country if we waste productive hours doing unproductive things,” he added.
Commenting on the electioneering season that would kick-start in 2011, the one-time presidential campaigner stressed the need for politicians to avoid ‘hitting below the belt’.
“As for campaigning for votes, it is unavoidable. But we can avoid the insults and the verbal blows that raise the temperature of the political climate,” he mentioned.
Lawyer Mahama defended President Mills’ indulgence in prayer, explaining that “without God’s favour and mercy, all what we humans would do would amount to nothing.”
“It is God alone who grants life, prosperity and happiness and so we need to draw much closer to him by eschewing vices, such as corruption, violence and petty bickering,” he further stated.
DR SAGOE HONOURED FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE (PAGE 23, JAN 19, 2011)
SINCE assuming the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), Dr Ken Sagoe, has proven he has the capacity to transform the hospital.
He took over at a time when the hospital, then a regional hospital, was losing ground and required urgent attention to revive it. However, his managerial and professional dexterity was simply what the hospital needed to take it to the next level.
Together with other professionals, institutions and government support, Dr Sagoe has facilitated the transformation of the hospital into a full-fledged tertiary facility to serve as a training ground for medical students from the University for Development Studies (UDS).
He has also obtained provisional accreditation for the hospital to receive and train residents from the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The hospital has also been able to attract more health professionals into the facility since he assumed office.
For instance, the number of doctors at post in the hospital has increased from 24 as of 2008 to 107 by the end of 2010. This figure includes 20 specialists.
In addition, the hospital has expanded its scope of operations in line with its mandate as a teaching hospital. It now offers clinical services in areas such as endoscopy, dialysis, neurology and orthopaedics. It also has a fully functional neo-natal and general Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
It is therefore, of no wonder that the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has found it prudent to honour Dr Sagoe with its highest award, Fellow of the GMA in recognition of his contribution to the association and the health sector, both locally and internationally.
The award was presented to him during the GMA’s annual general meeting in Koforidua some weeks ago. The citation accompanying the award acknowledged his significant contributions to the medical profession including his active participation in the development and implementation of policies relating to human resource development for the health sector.
By this award, Dr Sagoe joins the elite class of doctors who have been honoured with this award since the country’s independence.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, a humbled, but elated, Dr Sagoe described his award as a recognition of his service to mankind.
He said by virtue of his training and penchant to serve mankind, he had been able to make a difference in the lives of many people.
“My focus has been to serve the general good of people. So I have tried to offer my services anywhere it is needed, without considering reward or monetary gains,” he stated.
Dr Sagoe said he was particularly delighted to have received the award at this time of his life, because some of the earlier recipients of the award got it in their eighties, whiles others were awarded posthumously.
“I hope that other upcoming medical officers would be motivated to give their best and to receive such recognition,” he added.
Dr Sagoe, whose career spans clinical, public health, managerial and teaching received his undergraduate and postgraduate training in Medicine at the University of Ghana Medical School and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine at the University of Liverpool.
Prior to his assumption of duty as the CEO of the TTH, he was the director of human resource at the Ghana Health Service. He has also worked, previously, with other institutions, including the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Koforidua Regional Hospital and two other hospitals in Nigeria.
Dr Sagoe has many publications to his credit and has served on several national and international committees, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) Expert Committee on Global Recommendations and Guidelines on Task-Shifting for HIV/AIDS and Global Health Workforce Alliance’s (GHWA) Task Force on Private Sector Involvement in Human Resources for Health.
He took over at a time when the hospital, then a regional hospital, was losing ground and required urgent attention to revive it. However, his managerial and professional dexterity was simply what the hospital needed to take it to the next level.
Together with other professionals, institutions and government support, Dr Sagoe has facilitated the transformation of the hospital into a full-fledged tertiary facility to serve as a training ground for medical students from the University for Development Studies (UDS).
He has also obtained provisional accreditation for the hospital to receive and train residents from the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The hospital has also been able to attract more health professionals into the facility since he assumed office.
For instance, the number of doctors at post in the hospital has increased from 24 as of 2008 to 107 by the end of 2010. This figure includes 20 specialists.
In addition, the hospital has expanded its scope of operations in line with its mandate as a teaching hospital. It now offers clinical services in areas such as endoscopy, dialysis, neurology and orthopaedics. It also has a fully functional neo-natal and general Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
It is therefore, of no wonder that the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has found it prudent to honour Dr Sagoe with its highest award, Fellow of the GMA in recognition of his contribution to the association and the health sector, both locally and internationally.
The award was presented to him during the GMA’s annual general meeting in Koforidua some weeks ago. The citation accompanying the award acknowledged his significant contributions to the medical profession including his active participation in the development and implementation of policies relating to human resource development for the health sector.
By this award, Dr Sagoe joins the elite class of doctors who have been honoured with this award since the country’s independence.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, a humbled, but elated, Dr Sagoe described his award as a recognition of his service to mankind.
He said by virtue of his training and penchant to serve mankind, he had been able to make a difference in the lives of many people.
“My focus has been to serve the general good of people. So I have tried to offer my services anywhere it is needed, without considering reward or monetary gains,” he stated.
Dr Sagoe said he was particularly delighted to have received the award at this time of his life, because some of the earlier recipients of the award got it in their eighties, whiles others were awarded posthumously.
“I hope that other upcoming medical officers would be motivated to give their best and to receive such recognition,” he added.
Dr Sagoe, whose career spans clinical, public health, managerial and teaching received his undergraduate and postgraduate training in Medicine at the University of Ghana Medical School and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine at the University of Liverpool.
Prior to his assumption of duty as the CEO of the TTH, he was the director of human resource at the Ghana Health Service. He has also worked, previously, with other institutions, including the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Koforidua Regional Hospital and two other hospitals in Nigeria.
Dr Sagoe has many publications to his credit and has served on several national and international committees, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) Expert Committee on Global Recommendations and Guidelines on Task-Shifting for HIV/AIDS and Global Health Workforce Alliance’s (GHWA) Task Force on Private Sector Involvement in Human Resources for Health.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
TAMALE RELISHES 'LOVE OF AA' (SHOWBIZ, BACK PAGE, JAN 13, 2011)
By Nurudeen Salifu
A LARGE audience turned up at the Picorna Hotel in Tamale last Saturday night to watch Kwaw Ansah’s Good Old Days – The Love of AA as it was shown in the metropolis for the first time.
The large numbers compelled the organisers – TV Africa and Tarch House Productions – to hold three separate shows between 6:00pm to 12:00 midnight, although they had initially announced only two shows.
When the first show kicked off at about 6:45pm, the Theatre Gardens of the hotel was filled to capacity and characterised by some silence as the expectant audience sharpened their appetite to have a taste of Kwaw Ansah’s movie.
It was not long that the silence succumbed to laughter and excitement as the audience responded to scenes filled with humour, such as the scenes where AA (Abudu Andani) asks his colleagues to wish him luck, where sweet words flow from AA and Esaba’s love letters and where AA’s witty little younger brother expresses his unrelenting desire for kelewele.
A feeling of “Oh, we too are in there” took charge when AAs mother uttered some sentences in Dagbani – Akperi-la yin yeri (are you going mad). One could here voices in the audience murmuring: “Ei, she spoke Dagbani and “Yeah, I was told they speak some Dagbani in the movie.”
At the end of it all, the message was clear, The love of AA is not just a love story, but one that tells about the effects of intra and inter-ethnic conflicts and how unity could strengthen the fabric of society.
Indeed, the movie depicts the ‘good old days’ in various aspects, ranging from the dressing of the cast, the hairstyles, the environment and the mannerisms.
For many in the audience who watched the movie, aside the message of unity and love for one another, Kwaw Ansah’s movie was pregnant with lessons on parenting and respect for the elderly.
The actions of the parents of the two teenage lovers seem to portray good parenting. In fact, they demonstrated considerable understanding of the lives of their children and took note of changes. They showed much concern and were careful in reproaching the children.
And for some, the use of love words and phrases, such as: “My dearest hibiscus” and “My dearest sunflower” reminded them of their teen ages, when they used to write love letters to colleagues.
“I remember we used such words and others like “from my brightest corner” at the time we were students,” Mr Abdul-Razak, a patron told Showbiz.
Hajia Katumi Alhassan, a retired midwife, commended the organisers for their decision to showcase the movie in Tamale and entreated them to endeavour to bring more movies to Tamale so as to resurrect cinema.
For now, the clarion call is for Kwaw Ansah to make the DVD of his Good Old Days – The Love for AA available.
A LARGE audience turned up at the Picorna Hotel in Tamale last Saturday night to watch Kwaw Ansah’s Good Old Days – The Love of AA as it was shown in the metropolis for the first time.
The large numbers compelled the organisers – TV Africa and Tarch House Productions – to hold three separate shows between 6:00pm to 12:00 midnight, although they had initially announced only two shows.
When the first show kicked off at about 6:45pm, the Theatre Gardens of the hotel was filled to capacity and characterised by some silence as the expectant audience sharpened their appetite to have a taste of Kwaw Ansah’s movie.
It was not long that the silence succumbed to laughter and excitement as the audience responded to scenes filled with humour, such as the scenes where AA (Abudu Andani) asks his colleagues to wish him luck, where sweet words flow from AA and Esaba’s love letters and where AA’s witty little younger brother expresses his unrelenting desire for kelewele.
A feeling of “Oh, we too are in there” took charge when AAs mother uttered some sentences in Dagbani – Akperi-la yin yeri (are you going mad). One could here voices in the audience murmuring: “Ei, she spoke Dagbani and “Yeah, I was told they speak some Dagbani in the movie.”
At the end of it all, the message was clear, The love of AA is not just a love story, but one that tells about the effects of intra and inter-ethnic conflicts and how unity could strengthen the fabric of society.
Indeed, the movie depicts the ‘good old days’ in various aspects, ranging from the dressing of the cast, the hairstyles, the environment and the mannerisms.
For many in the audience who watched the movie, aside the message of unity and love for one another, Kwaw Ansah’s movie was pregnant with lessons on parenting and respect for the elderly.
The actions of the parents of the two teenage lovers seem to portray good parenting. In fact, they demonstrated considerable understanding of the lives of their children and took note of changes. They showed much concern and were careful in reproaching the children.
And for some, the use of love words and phrases, such as: “My dearest hibiscus” and “My dearest sunflower” reminded them of their teen ages, when they used to write love letters to colleagues.
“I remember we used such words and others like “from my brightest corner” at the time we were students,” Mr Abdul-Razak, a patron told Showbiz.
Hajia Katumi Alhassan, a retired midwife, commended the organisers for their decision to showcase the movie in Tamale and entreated them to endeavour to bring more movies to Tamale so as to resurrect cinema.
For now, the clarion call is for Kwaw Ansah to make the DVD of his Good Old Days – The Love for AA available.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
3 ARRESTED OVER GUSHIEGU RUMPUS (PAGE 3, JAN 4, 2011)
THREE persons were arrested in Gushiegu yesterday in connection with the disturbances that occurred in the area in the run-up to the 2008 general election.
The three — Haruna Abdul-Rahaman, Abdulai Yakubu and Abdulai Sulemana — were picked up during a dawn swoop conducted by the Yendi Divisional Police.
Three persons, including an elderly chief, died in the violence, while several people sustained various degrees of injury, with massive destruction of properties and vehicles belonging to the Gushiegu Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Alhaji Jemoni.
The violence at Gushiegu in the run-up to the 2008 elections was a spill-over from an earlier clash between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the NDC at Kpatinga, near Gushiegu, on August 31, 2008.
The Public Relations Officer of the Northern Regional Police Command, Chief Inspector Ebenezer Tetteh, who briefed the Daily Graphic, said the suspects would be sent from Gushiegu to Accra to assist in police investigations.
According to him, the condition of the suspects was normal, but noted that “they feigned sickness occasionally”.
He indicated that the case was under investigation by the Homicide Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the headquarters in Accra.
On the situation in Gushiegu, the PRO said, “Everything is calm and there is no cause for alarm. We are, nonetheless, monitoring the situation to respond to any eventuality, appropriately.”
When the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Gushiegu, Mr Alhassan Fuseini, was contacted, he said the District Security Council (DISEC) was in a meeting on the matter.
The three — Haruna Abdul-Rahaman, Abdulai Yakubu and Abdulai Sulemana — were picked up during a dawn swoop conducted by the Yendi Divisional Police.
Three persons, including an elderly chief, died in the violence, while several people sustained various degrees of injury, with massive destruction of properties and vehicles belonging to the Gushiegu Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Alhaji Jemoni.
The violence at Gushiegu in the run-up to the 2008 elections was a spill-over from an earlier clash between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the NDC at Kpatinga, near Gushiegu, on August 31, 2008.
The Public Relations Officer of the Northern Regional Police Command, Chief Inspector Ebenezer Tetteh, who briefed the Daily Graphic, said the suspects would be sent from Gushiegu to Accra to assist in police investigations.
According to him, the condition of the suspects was normal, but noted that “they feigned sickness occasionally”.
He indicated that the case was under investigation by the Homicide Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the headquarters in Accra.
On the situation in Gushiegu, the PRO said, “Everything is calm and there is no cause for alarm. We are, nonetheless, monitoring the situation to respond to any eventuality, appropriately.”
When the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Gushiegu, Mr Alhassan Fuseini, was contacted, he said the District Security Council (DISEC) was in a meeting on the matter.
BISCO LOSING LAND TO ENCROACHERS (PAGE 19, THURSDAY, JAN 6, 2011)
AUTHORITIES of the Business Senior High School (BISCO) in Tamale have expressed worry over the increasing spate of encroachment on the school’s land.
According to them, the extent to which some inhabitants of Nyohini and other surrounding communities were developing settlements on portions of the land belonging to the school was a threat to the smooth operation of the school.
The authorities, who spoke to the Daily Graphic in an interview, noted that soon the school may not have adequate space to construct more classroom blocks, dormitories, administrative blocks and staff accommodation.
They also expressed fears that the school’s environs and the neighbouring communities could be merged into a single community and this could have negative implications for the maintenance of discipline.
The headmaster of BISCO, Mr Saaka Bakeri Awari blamed the situation on the school’s inability to provide a fence wall due to the unavailability of adequate funds.
He therefore made an urgent appeal to the government, corporate bodies and alumni to support the school to construct a wall to fence the school’s premises so as to halt further encroachment and safeguard the rest of the land.
Mr Awari explained that apart from protecting school lands, the fence wall would also help the authorities to supervise the movement and activities of the students so as to guard against indiscipline behaviour.
According to him, the absence of a fence allowed the boarding students to move in and out of the campus easily and all manner of persons also had 24-hour access to the school, therefore exposing the students to all kinds of dangers, including theft and sexual harassment.
The headmaster also mentioned that aside the problem of encroachment, the school was bedevilled with other challenges, one of which was inadequate accommodation facilities for both students and staff.
He said the school had a student population of about 2300 students and yet it had limited boarding facilities to house the boarding students, which has therefore led to overcrowding in the various dormitories.
Mr Awari mentioned that the construction of a boys’ dormitory was currently ongoing and when completed, it would help decongest the existing boys’ dormitories.
He however stressed the need for a similar project to be undertaken to cater for the girls, since they were equally facing accommodation challenges.
On the provision of classrooms, the headmaster mentioned that the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) had constructed a new 6-unit classroom block with a recreational hall, bath and toilet for the school.
He said the classrooms in the new block were being used by some of the about 500 newly admitted students of the school, adding that if not for the new block, the school, like many other schools, would not have been able to hold classes for the Year One students.
Mr Aware mentioned that the GETFund had also awarded on contract an 18-unit classroom block project to augment the current number of classrooms.
He said the challenge now was how to provide accommodation to cater for the increasing number of students, because the dormitories available were woefully inadequate.
According to them, the extent to which some inhabitants of Nyohini and other surrounding communities were developing settlements on portions of the land belonging to the school was a threat to the smooth operation of the school.
The authorities, who spoke to the Daily Graphic in an interview, noted that soon the school may not have adequate space to construct more classroom blocks, dormitories, administrative blocks and staff accommodation.
They also expressed fears that the school’s environs and the neighbouring communities could be merged into a single community and this could have negative implications for the maintenance of discipline.
The headmaster of BISCO, Mr Saaka Bakeri Awari blamed the situation on the school’s inability to provide a fence wall due to the unavailability of adequate funds.
He therefore made an urgent appeal to the government, corporate bodies and alumni to support the school to construct a wall to fence the school’s premises so as to halt further encroachment and safeguard the rest of the land.
Mr Awari explained that apart from protecting school lands, the fence wall would also help the authorities to supervise the movement and activities of the students so as to guard against indiscipline behaviour.
According to him, the absence of a fence allowed the boarding students to move in and out of the campus easily and all manner of persons also had 24-hour access to the school, therefore exposing the students to all kinds of dangers, including theft and sexual harassment.
The headmaster also mentioned that aside the problem of encroachment, the school was bedevilled with other challenges, one of which was inadequate accommodation facilities for both students and staff.
He said the school had a student population of about 2300 students and yet it had limited boarding facilities to house the boarding students, which has therefore led to overcrowding in the various dormitories.
Mr Awari mentioned that the construction of a boys’ dormitory was currently ongoing and when completed, it would help decongest the existing boys’ dormitories.
He however stressed the need for a similar project to be undertaken to cater for the girls, since they were equally facing accommodation challenges.
On the provision of classrooms, the headmaster mentioned that the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) had constructed a new 6-unit classroom block with a recreational hall, bath and toilet for the school.
He said the classrooms in the new block were being used by some of the about 500 newly admitted students of the school, adding that if not for the new block, the school, like many other schools, would not have been able to hold classes for the Year One students.
Mr Aware mentioned that the GETFund had also awarded on contract an 18-unit classroom block project to augment the current number of classrooms.
He said the challenge now was how to provide accommodation to cater for the increasing number of students, because the dormitories available were woefully inadequate.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
CHEREPONI MP INTRODUCES ACCOUNTABILITY DURBAR (PAGE 12, JAN 11, 2011)
IN a bid to encourage accountability on the part of office holders in his area, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Chereponi, Mr Samuel Abdulai Jabanyite, has introduced a unique concept which allows the MP to give account of his stewardship.
Known as the MP’s durbar, the platform is used by the MP to give a yearly account of his performance and to allow the people the opportunity to pass their judgements over his performance.
Feedback from these durbars help the MP assess his own performance and adopt strategies to improve his style of governance.
The first of its kind took place in Chereponi and was patronised by a large number of the people, including chiefs, political leaders, departmental heads and security agencies.
Some of the dignitaries were the Minister of Communications and MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu; MP for Yendi, Mr Baba Iddrisu; MP for Saboba, Mr Bukari Nikpe Joseph; the DCE for Chereponi, Alhaji Mohammed Issah Seidu Abah and the Chief of Chereponi, Feme Jaminja Malba Gomna.
Mr Jabanyite listed a number of initiatives that had been undertaken through his support and they stretched across all sectors such as health, education, agriculture, road infrastructure and institutional capacity building.
Some of the major interventions undertaken by the MP include the rehabilitation of 10 broken-down bore-holes in nine communities, the acquisition of eight motorcycles for institutions in the district, including the security services, and the presentation of a 15-seater Ford van and a 44 Nissan pick-ups to two health institutions in the district, through the support of donors.
He also facilitated the acquisition of 12 new tractors, two shellers and a planter, in addition to the provision of 6,250 subsidised bags of fertilisers, to support farming activities in the area.
The MP stressed that public office holders must often strive to be more accountable to their people by rendering accounts of their stewardship so as to enable the people to effectively evaluate their performances.
He noted that an accountable and responsive leadership was one of the significant ingredients for good governance.
The Chief of Chereponi, Fame Jaminja Malba Gomna, gave his approval of the MP’s performance and entreated him to continue to deliver so as to be in a better position to demand a re-election.
The Communications Minister hailed praises on Mr Jabanyite for endeavouring to render accounts of his stewardship, although not many politicians were accustomed to that culture.
He said the government was committed to transforming the lives of Ghanaians and thus entreated the MP to take opportunity of the government’s zeal to advance his development agenda.
Mr Iddrisu, who was later installed as the development chief – ‘Anufor Bukasu Feme’ – for Chereponi due to his support for the MP, expressed delight over the cordial relationship existing between the MP and the DCE.
“The President has repeatedly called for such cordiality so as to advance the ‘Better Ghana’ agenda. Any DCE who acts contrary would be given the sack,” he stated.
Mr Jabanyite was sworn into office on November 27, 2009, after he emerged the victor in the October 27, 2009, by-election in Chereponi. The by-election became necessary following the demise of the incumbent MP, Madam Doris Asibi Seidu.
Known as the MP’s durbar, the platform is used by the MP to give a yearly account of his performance and to allow the people the opportunity to pass their judgements over his performance.
Feedback from these durbars help the MP assess his own performance and adopt strategies to improve his style of governance.
The first of its kind took place in Chereponi and was patronised by a large number of the people, including chiefs, political leaders, departmental heads and security agencies.
Some of the dignitaries were the Minister of Communications and MP for Tamale South, Mr Haruna Iddrisu; MP for Yendi, Mr Baba Iddrisu; MP for Saboba, Mr Bukari Nikpe Joseph; the DCE for Chereponi, Alhaji Mohammed Issah Seidu Abah and the Chief of Chereponi, Feme Jaminja Malba Gomna.
Mr Jabanyite listed a number of initiatives that had been undertaken through his support and they stretched across all sectors such as health, education, agriculture, road infrastructure and institutional capacity building.
Some of the major interventions undertaken by the MP include the rehabilitation of 10 broken-down bore-holes in nine communities, the acquisition of eight motorcycles for institutions in the district, including the security services, and the presentation of a 15-seater Ford van and a 44 Nissan pick-ups to two health institutions in the district, through the support of donors.
He also facilitated the acquisition of 12 new tractors, two shellers and a planter, in addition to the provision of 6,250 subsidised bags of fertilisers, to support farming activities in the area.
The MP stressed that public office holders must often strive to be more accountable to their people by rendering accounts of their stewardship so as to enable the people to effectively evaluate their performances.
He noted that an accountable and responsive leadership was one of the significant ingredients for good governance.
The Chief of Chereponi, Fame Jaminja Malba Gomna, gave his approval of the MP’s performance and entreated him to continue to deliver so as to be in a better position to demand a re-election.
The Communications Minister hailed praises on Mr Jabanyite for endeavouring to render accounts of his stewardship, although not many politicians were accustomed to that culture.
He said the government was committed to transforming the lives of Ghanaians and thus entreated the MP to take opportunity of the government’s zeal to advance his development agenda.
Mr Iddrisu, who was later installed as the development chief – ‘Anufor Bukasu Feme’ – for Chereponi due to his support for the MP, expressed delight over the cordial relationship existing between the MP and the DCE.
“The President has repeatedly called for such cordiality so as to advance the ‘Better Ghana’ agenda. Any DCE who acts contrary would be given the sack,” he stated.
Mr Jabanyite was sworn into office on November 27, 2009, after he emerged the victor in the October 27, 2009, by-election in Chereponi. The by-election became necessary following the demise of the incumbent MP, Madam Doris Asibi Seidu.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
DUTCH GOVT COMMENDS UDS MEDICAL SCHOOL (PAGE 18, JAN 4, 2011)
THE Netherlands government has commended the authorities of the University for Development Studies (UDS) for their efforts towards improving medical practice in Ghana.
It noted that the problem-based learning (PBL) technique being implemented in the training of medical students at the UDS would lead to the production of a new crop of doctors who have the knack to tailor medical solutions to suit the country’s socio-economic dynamics.
The Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Gerard Duijfes, made this known when he paid a visit to the Tamale campus of the UDS. He was received by the management of the UDS, headed by the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Yakubu.
The visit was to enable the ambassador to discuss with the management of the UDS ways to deepen the relationship between the two institutions. Over the years, the UDS has fostered a fruitful relationship with the Dutch government.
About four years ago, the Dutch government provided a grant of €1.2m to the UDS through the Netherlands Organisation for International Co-operation in Higher Education (NUFFIC) to support the implementation of the PBL approach in the training of its medical students.
Through this grant, the UDS equipped sections of its medical school with computers, LCD projectors and some furnishings.
It also sponsored eight medical students to pursue Master’s in Health Education, who later returned and transferred the skills acquired to the train other medical students at the UDS.
Mr Duijfjes described the UDS as an institution committed to implementing innovative ways of learning and utilising local knowledge to training a new crop of professionals.
He said the relationship existing between the UDS and the Netherlands was mutually beneficial because the UDS was engaged in the exchange of knowledge and expertise with other universities in The Netherlands.
The ambassador gave the assurance that the Dutch government would continue to explore ways of supporting the UDS, particularly in building the university’s capacity in the areas of research and academic training.
The university authorities briefed the envoy on the progress of the medical school and the general operation of the university.
The VC noted that the medical school had surmounted its teething challenges and that management was willing to ensure its growth.
The Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), Sir Dr Edward , said the desire to adopt innovative ways of teaching and learning had linked the UDS to universities in The Netherlands.
He mentioned, for instance, that the curriculum for the PBL approach was adopted from the University of Maastricht in The Netherlands and therefore expressed hope of further partnership.
It noted that the problem-based learning (PBL) technique being implemented in the training of medical students at the UDS would lead to the production of a new crop of doctors who have the knack to tailor medical solutions to suit the country’s socio-economic dynamics.
The Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Gerard Duijfes, made this known when he paid a visit to the Tamale campus of the UDS. He was received by the management of the UDS, headed by the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Yakubu.
The visit was to enable the ambassador to discuss with the management of the UDS ways to deepen the relationship between the two institutions. Over the years, the UDS has fostered a fruitful relationship with the Dutch government.
About four years ago, the Dutch government provided a grant of €1.2m to the UDS through the Netherlands Organisation for International Co-operation in Higher Education (NUFFIC) to support the implementation of the PBL approach in the training of its medical students.
Through this grant, the UDS equipped sections of its medical school with computers, LCD projectors and some furnishings.
It also sponsored eight medical students to pursue Master’s in Health Education, who later returned and transferred the skills acquired to the train other medical students at the UDS.
Mr Duijfjes described the UDS as an institution committed to implementing innovative ways of learning and utilising local knowledge to training a new crop of professionals.
He said the relationship existing between the UDS and the Netherlands was mutually beneficial because the UDS was engaged in the exchange of knowledge and expertise with other universities in The Netherlands.
The ambassador gave the assurance that the Dutch government would continue to explore ways of supporting the UDS, particularly in building the university’s capacity in the areas of research and academic training.
The university authorities briefed the envoy on the progress of the medical school and the general operation of the university.
The VC noted that the medical school had surmounted its teething challenges and that management was willing to ensure its growth.
The Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), Sir Dr Edward , said the desire to adopt innovative ways of teaching and learning had linked the UDS to universities in The Netherlands.
He mentioned, for instance, that the curriculum for the PBL approach was adopted from the University of Maastricht in The Netherlands and therefore expressed hope of further partnership.
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