FRUSTRATION and bitterness could aptly describe the feeling of farmers who lose their farms each year due to bushfires.
The fires are mostly set by game hunters and farmers whose intention it is to clear the old vegetation in preparation for the new one, but this has often led to the destruction of food crops and economic trees, like rice, cowpea, shea nut, dawadawa and mango.
Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had on countless occasions spoken against this negative practice, it had rarely made any significant gains towards halting the practice.
However, one significant development this year was that the EPA moved from rhetoric to action towards bringing to book the perpetrators of bush fires.
It caused the arrest of nine persons who were among a group of 50 that had set fire to farms and bushes in Nyamalga, a community in the East Gonja district, in its quest for game.
The nine persons were picked up by the Police Mobile Task Force on the evening of Saturday January 22nd, 2011, following an emergency call made by the Director of the EPA, Mr Iddrisu Abu.
As usual, some influential people began to impress upon the officials of the EPA to pardon the nine persons. Unlike many other heads of institutions who would have succumbed to this pressure, Mr Abu and his team shoved off this negative pressure.
Consequently, the nine suspects were arraigned before the Tamale district magistrate court, presided over by His Worship Gabriel Mate-Teye.
Six of them, who were classified as juveniles, were later bonded by the court for two years to be of good behaviour and avoid participating in any activity that is harmful to the environment.
The other three, who were identified as Osman Adam, 18, student, Latif Osman, 20, farmer and Adam Fuseini, 20, electrician, were charged for negligently causing unlawful damage contrary to section 12 and 172 of Act 29/30 of the Criminal Code.
The court later sentenced Osman Adam and Latif Osman to two weeks imprisonment, whiles Adam Fuseini, who pleaded not guilty, has his case still pending.
The prosecution of these nine persons should send a signal to all persons in the region that the EPA is ready to bare its teeth.
It is heart-warming to note that the judiciary has also thrown its weight behind the EPA in this regard.
During the court proceedings, the judge did give a note of caution to persons who engage in bush fires, saying that such people, when brought before the court, would be made to face the music for their actions.
He said the court would remain resolute in ensuring that no one gets away with it after causing damage to the environment, which, he noted, was humans’ source of livelihood.
Mr Mate-Teye chided some politicians, chiefs, opinion leaders and members of the clergy for attempting to seek reprieve for perpetrators of bush fires, stressing that all must begin to act responsibly in the interest of the state.
Apart from the prosecutions, the EPA officials also did the unimaginable this year by moving from community to community trying to stop fires with the help of the community folk.
According to the regional director, the decision to embark on this venture followed several calls by community folk to notify the EPA about fires in their communities and their potential to cause havoc.
Mr Abu admitted that it was a difficult task trying to stop Harmattan fires, because they spread so fast.
He mentioned the unavailability of water as a challenge, but noted that the use of dampened sacks sometimes proved helpful.
The EPA, through the Ghana Environmental Management Project (GEMP), also organised a forum for chiefs in the three regions of the north to discuss the bush fire menace and make commitments towards its prevention.
Already, some of the chiefs were enforcing a non-burning policy in their respective jurisdictions and this served as an example for others to emulate.
In short, the determination shown by officials of the EPA to control bushfires has been remarkable and worthy of praise.
Whiles we commend the EPA for its drive to halt the bushfire menace, all other partners must get on board because bushfires have negative implications for food security and environmental sustainability.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
TEACHING HOSPITAL TO IMPROVE CLIENT RELATIONS (PAGE 50, MAR 31, 2011)
THE Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) has commenced a series of training programmes to enhance the skills of its staff in the areas of client relations and counselling.
This follows complaints by some clients of the hospital that some of its staffs were poor in handling clients, thereby resulting in poor service delivery, which consequently caused disaffection against the hospital.
The first of such trainings took place at the hospital’s premises for the midwives and was facilitated by a communication specialist and a clinical psychologist.
Some of the topics treated included general counselling, psychotherapy, pre and post-pregnancy counselling, customer care and effective communication techniques.
The Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Gabriel Nii Otu Ankrah told the Daily Graphic at the sidelines of the training, that it was the desire of the hospital to address the grey areas in its operations.
“Like any other health facility in Ghana, we receive complaints from patients and clients of ill-treatment from some of our nurses and this we have resolved to bring a stop to,” he stated.
Nii Otu mentioned that the priority of the hospital for the 2011 year was to transform the attitudes of its personnel in line with the standards expected of staffs of tertiary health facilities.
He said the training was therefore intended for personnel of all the units and departments in the hospital, ranging from clinical to allied health.
Nii Otu further noted that the training programme had started with midwives because most of the complaints received were traced to the maternity and labour wards.
“These units are very critical to maternal and child health and therefore any complaint regarding poor service delivery in these areas deserves some urgent attention,” he added.
The Director of Nursing Services at the TTH, Mrs Elizabeth Danso indicated that the situation where patients or clients were at loggerheads with nurses could soon become a thing of the past if the training programmes were given a priority.
One of the trainees, who is also a principal midwifery officer, Madam Salifu Awabu described the training as very useful, since it had offered them the opportunity to learn new techniques and approaches to effective communication and counselling.
Although she admitted that mistreating clients was unprofessional, she entreated the public to appreciate the strenuous conditions under which midwives work to ensure the health of both mother and child.
Meanwhile, the hospital has begun performing minor clinical surgeries on a daily basis on patients with conditions, such as hernia and minor cuts at its rehabilitated casualty theatre.
According to the hospital authorities, this has helped to reduce the number of admissions of surgical cases at the facility, as well as the pressure at the main theatre.
This follows complaints by some clients of the hospital that some of its staffs were poor in handling clients, thereby resulting in poor service delivery, which consequently caused disaffection against the hospital.
The first of such trainings took place at the hospital’s premises for the midwives and was facilitated by a communication specialist and a clinical psychologist.
Some of the topics treated included general counselling, psychotherapy, pre and post-pregnancy counselling, customer care and effective communication techniques.
The Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Gabriel Nii Otu Ankrah told the Daily Graphic at the sidelines of the training, that it was the desire of the hospital to address the grey areas in its operations.
“Like any other health facility in Ghana, we receive complaints from patients and clients of ill-treatment from some of our nurses and this we have resolved to bring a stop to,” he stated.
Nii Otu mentioned that the priority of the hospital for the 2011 year was to transform the attitudes of its personnel in line with the standards expected of staffs of tertiary health facilities.
He said the training was therefore intended for personnel of all the units and departments in the hospital, ranging from clinical to allied health.
Nii Otu further noted that the training programme had started with midwives because most of the complaints received were traced to the maternity and labour wards.
“These units are very critical to maternal and child health and therefore any complaint regarding poor service delivery in these areas deserves some urgent attention,” he added.
The Director of Nursing Services at the TTH, Mrs Elizabeth Danso indicated that the situation where patients or clients were at loggerheads with nurses could soon become a thing of the past if the training programmes were given a priority.
One of the trainees, who is also a principal midwifery officer, Madam Salifu Awabu described the training as very useful, since it had offered them the opportunity to learn new techniques and approaches to effective communication and counselling.
Although she admitted that mistreating clients was unprofessional, she entreated the public to appreciate the strenuous conditions under which midwives work to ensure the health of both mother and child.
Meanwhile, the hospital has begun performing minor clinical surgeries on a daily basis on patients with conditions, such as hernia and minor cuts at its rehabilitated casualty theatre.
According to the hospital authorities, this has helped to reduce the number of admissions of surgical cases at the facility, as well as the pressure at the main theatre.
GOVT URGED TO PROMOTE RAINWATER HARVESTING (PAGE 54, MAR 31, 2011)
THE government has been urged to formulate and implement a deliberate policy to promote rainwater harvesting in the country.
Duraqua Company Limited, a construction company that has been building rainwater tanks, made the call during a short ceremony to mark this year’s World Water Day celebrations.
According to the General Manager of the company, Mr Baku Patrick, each year huge quantities of water go waste due to the failure of Ghanaians to harvest the water for future use.
He said by adopting various rainwater harvesting technologies, individuals, families and institutions could collect and store huge amounts of rainwater during the raining season for use, particularly in the dry season.
Mr Patrick explained that it was a huge task for government to attempt to resolve the country’s water challenges by providing pipe borne and rural water facilities.
“It is prudent to promote other methods which the people themselves could adopt to help alleviate their suffering,” he noted.
Duraqua company has in collaboration with some funding partners and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) constructed numerous rainwater harvesting tanks for schools, clinics and households.
Figures made available to the Daily Graphic indicates that the company has constructed over 80 rainwater tanks in various parts of the Northern Region.
In Wanbong in the Yendi municipality, the company constructed four rainwater harvesting tanks for three households and a school, under the sponsorship and authorisation of the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC).
In Kpenchila, a farming community in the East Gonja district, Duraqua Company constructed two 30,000 litre rainwater tanks for the inhabitants, with funding from a roofing company in Atlanta Georgia in the United States of America, Reliable Roofing Company.
Mr Patrick explained that the company had taken so much interest in rainwater harvesting because “as for the rain, we know it comes each season and the water flows freely at no cost to humans.”
He said the sinking of boreholes in many communities in the region had a low yielding rate due to the low water table.
Mr Patrick debunked claims that rainwater tanks cannot store much water, explaining that the tanks are constructed in line with the demand.
“We usually construct 11,000-litre tanks for households and 30,000 or 45,000-litre tanks for community use,” he indicated.
Duraqua Company Limited, a construction company that has been building rainwater tanks, made the call during a short ceremony to mark this year’s World Water Day celebrations.
According to the General Manager of the company, Mr Baku Patrick, each year huge quantities of water go waste due to the failure of Ghanaians to harvest the water for future use.
He said by adopting various rainwater harvesting technologies, individuals, families and institutions could collect and store huge amounts of rainwater during the raining season for use, particularly in the dry season.
Mr Patrick explained that it was a huge task for government to attempt to resolve the country’s water challenges by providing pipe borne and rural water facilities.
“It is prudent to promote other methods which the people themselves could adopt to help alleviate their suffering,” he noted.
Duraqua company has in collaboration with some funding partners and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) constructed numerous rainwater harvesting tanks for schools, clinics and households.
Figures made available to the Daily Graphic indicates that the company has constructed over 80 rainwater tanks in various parts of the Northern Region.
In Wanbong in the Yendi municipality, the company constructed four rainwater harvesting tanks for three households and a school, under the sponsorship and authorisation of the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC).
In Kpenchila, a farming community in the East Gonja district, Duraqua Company constructed two 30,000 litre rainwater tanks for the inhabitants, with funding from a roofing company in Atlanta Georgia in the United States of America, Reliable Roofing Company.
Mr Patrick explained that the company had taken so much interest in rainwater harvesting because “as for the rain, we know it comes each season and the water flows freely at no cost to humans.”
He said the sinking of boreholes in many communities in the region had a low yielding rate due to the low water table.
Mr Patrick debunked claims that rainwater tanks cannot store much water, explaining that the tanks are constructed in line with the demand.
“We usually construct 11,000-litre tanks for households and 30,000 or 45,000-litre tanks for community use,” he indicated.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
YOUTH, WOMEN HELP PROMOTE PEACE IN DAGBON (PAGE 23, MAR 28, 2011)
IN the words of legendary Martin Luther King Junior, “real peace is not merely the absence of some negative force – tension, confusion, or law –but real peace is the presence of some positive force – justice, goodwill, and brotherhood.
The absence of war in the Northern Region does not therefore imply the presence of peace, since there are conflict undertones that need to be addressed.
Like many other regions, the Northern Region is still battling with some conflicts that have threatened to mar the social fabric and hospitality of residents of this region.
From Bimbilla, Buipe, Bunkpurugu, Yendi, Gusheigu to Zabzugu, one can pinpoint one or two issues that have been a bone of contention either among or between ethnic groups.
The Dagbon crisis appears to be one of the most prominent of such issues due to the interventions that the state has made towards bringing a closure to this matter.
It is an undeniable fact that this conflict has dealt a big blow to the development of the Dagbon traditional area, due to the absence of sustained leadership, direction and concerted efforts.
It is in the light of this, that the Ghana chapter of the West African Network for Peace-building (WANEP) thought it wise to build the capacities of youth and women groups in Dagbon to engage each other in peace-building efforts towards restoring real peace in Dagbon – one that would be driven by brotherliness and mutual understanding.
The first of such training programmes took place in Tamale recently and was supported by the Canadian High Commission, Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Sustainable Peace Initiative.
“We at WANEP-Ghana are looking for avenues to help build bridges among the people of Dagbon as a way to promote peace,” Mr Justin Bayor, the National Co-ordinator of WANEP-Ghana stated in an interview.
“What we are doing at these training programmes is to let the people see the other side of conflicts, that is the opportunity to strengthen the relationships that exists between them by addressing the grey areas in a very harmonious way,” he added.
Indeed, targeting the youth is more than appropriate. Of course, conflicts would have died long ago along with their architects if not for the continuation of these conflicts by the youth. It is the youth who are the instruments used by adults to perpetuate conflicts.
They are indoctrinated with hate and ethnocentric sentiments, thereby preparing them to pursue the conflicts started by their great grandfathers, even when these conflicts become irrelevant to modern times.
Any effort aimed at restoring lasting peace to Dagbon must, hence, seek to involve the youth.
In the opinion of Ms Nuala Lawlor, the Counsellor on Political, Economic Relations and Public Affairs to the Canadian High Commission, the inclusion of women in such training programmes is also in the right direction.
“While women and children are often the most vulnerable during times of conflict, this is not to say that they cannot be the most powerful agents for peace,” she noted, adding that women needed to be involved in peace-building efforts.
One of the key areas of the training is the focus on the use of early warning signals to prevent the escalation of conflicts.
In the estimation of WANEP-Ghana, violent conflicts that occur in Ghana are pre-emptive and therefore instituting an early and effective response to conflict signals could be a sure way to managing such conflicts.
Mr Ishmael Falilu, one of the participants at the workshop told the Daily Graphic that the training programme was very helpful, particularly due to the ongoing efforts to resolve the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis.
“I think this training re-echoes the need for all of us to come on board since it is in the interest of all that this conflict is laid to rest, so that we open a new chapter of unity and a single sense of purpose,” he mentioned.
“For me, this training has opened our eyes on the need to make interventions early and not to wait till matters get out of hand,” another participant, Ms Mariam Adam, told this paper.
All in all, the most important thing is for such training programmes to translate into fruitful results for the benefit of Dagbon and Ghana.
The absence of war in the Northern Region does not therefore imply the presence of peace, since there are conflict undertones that need to be addressed.
Like many other regions, the Northern Region is still battling with some conflicts that have threatened to mar the social fabric and hospitality of residents of this region.
From Bimbilla, Buipe, Bunkpurugu, Yendi, Gusheigu to Zabzugu, one can pinpoint one or two issues that have been a bone of contention either among or between ethnic groups.
The Dagbon crisis appears to be one of the most prominent of such issues due to the interventions that the state has made towards bringing a closure to this matter.
It is an undeniable fact that this conflict has dealt a big blow to the development of the Dagbon traditional area, due to the absence of sustained leadership, direction and concerted efforts.
It is in the light of this, that the Ghana chapter of the West African Network for Peace-building (WANEP) thought it wise to build the capacities of youth and women groups in Dagbon to engage each other in peace-building efforts towards restoring real peace in Dagbon – one that would be driven by brotherliness and mutual understanding.
The first of such training programmes took place in Tamale recently and was supported by the Canadian High Commission, Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Sustainable Peace Initiative.
“We at WANEP-Ghana are looking for avenues to help build bridges among the people of Dagbon as a way to promote peace,” Mr Justin Bayor, the National Co-ordinator of WANEP-Ghana stated in an interview.
“What we are doing at these training programmes is to let the people see the other side of conflicts, that is the opportunity to strengthen the relationships that exists between them by addressing the grey areas in a very harmonious way,” he added.
Indeed, targeting the youth is more than appropriate. Of course, conflicts would have died long ago along with their architects if not for the continuation of these conflicts by the youth. It is the youth who are the instruments used by adults to perpetuate conflicts.
They are indoctrinated with hate and ethnocentric sentiments, thereby preparing them to pursue the conflicts started by their great grandfathers, even when these conflicts become irrelevant to modern times.
Any effort aimed at restoring lasting peace to Dagbon must, hence, seek to involve the youth.
In the opinion of Ms Nuala Lawlor, the Counsellor on Political, Economic Relations and Public Affairs to the Canadian High Commission, the inclusion of women in such training programmes is also in the right direction.
“While women and children are often the most vulnerable during times of conflict, this is not to say that they cannot be the most powerful agents for peace,” she noted, adding that women needed to be involved in peace-building efforts.
One of the key areas of the training is the focus on the use of early warning signals to prevent the escalation of conflicts.
In the estimation of WANEP-Ghana, violent conflicts that occur in Ghana are pre-emptive and therefore instituting an early and effective response to conflict signals could be a sure way to managing such conflicts.
Mr Ishmael Falilu, one of the participants at the workshop told the Daily Graphic that the training programme was very helpful, particularly due to the ongoing efforts to resolve the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis.
“I think this training re-echoes the need for all of us to come on board since it is in the interest of all that this conflict is laid to rest, so that we open a new chapter of unity and a single sense of purpose,” he mentioned.
“For me, this training has opened our eyes on the need to make interventions early and not to wait till matters get out of hand,” another participant, Ms Mariam Adam, told this paper.
All in all, the most important thing is for such training programmes to translate into fruitful results for the benefit of Dagbon and Ghana.
TWO UNIVERSITIES EXPLORE AREAS FOR PARTNERSHIP (PAGE 23, MAR 28, 2011)
AUTHORITIES of the University for Development Studies (UDS) and the University of Electronic Science and Technology, China (UESTC) have held talks to explore ways of establishing a viable partnership between the two institutions.
The discussions took place in Tamale at the UDS administrative block following the visit to the UDS by a six-member delegation from the UESTC, led by its president, Mr Wang Jin Song.
Some of the possible areas of co-operation that were considered were the establishment of staff and student exchange programmes, as well capacity building in the area of Information Communication and Technology.
The UESTC also pledged to offer some scholarships to some students and staff from the UDS to study in that university, which is situated in Chengdu, China.
Mr Jin Song said this was the first time that members of the delegation were in Africa and that Ghana had been chosen as their first destination due to its international repute.
He said Ghanaians studying in China had also helped in enhancing the image of the country by distinguishing themselves in all areas of study.
Mr Jing Song expressed hope of establishing a fruitful relationship with the UDS which would be mutually beneficial to both institutions.
The VC of the UDS, Prof Yakubu Haruna, who led the UDS team in the discussions, noted that it was very important for institutions across the world to establish partnerships to help further their mandates and extend their coverage.
He said the UDS, having emerged from humble beginnings, had the plan to establish relationships with universities all over the world that placed premium on practically-oriented training.
“Our desire has always been to remain a leader in producing well-baked graduates who are practically and academically proficient to meet the needs of the market,” the VC explained.
He mentioned the Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (TTFPP) as the university’s flagship programme that is used to meet the objective of providing the practical aspect of the training.
The UESTC, which is one of China’s leading science and technology institutions, already has an existing partnership with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the Koforidua Polytechnic.
The discussions took place in Tamale at the UDS administrative block following the visit to the UDS by a six-member delegation from the UESTC, led by its president, Mr Wang Jin Song.
Some of the possible areas of co-operation that were considered were the establishment of staff and student exchange programmes, as well capacity building in the area of Information Communication and Technology.
The UESTC also pledged to offer some scholarships to some students and staff from the UDS to study in that university, which is situated in Chengdu, China.
Mr Jin Song said this was the first time that members of the delegation were in Africa and that Ghana had been chosen as their first destination due to its international repute.
He said Ghanaians studying in China had also helped in enhancing the image of the country by distinguishing themselves in all areas of study.
Mr Jing Song expressed hope of establishing a fruitful relationship with the UDS which would be mutually beneficial to both institutions.
The VC of the UDS, Prof Yakubu Haruna, who led the UDS team in the discussions, noted that it was very important for institutions across the world to establish partnerships to help further their mandates and extend their coverage.
He said the UDS, having emerged from humble beginnings, had the plan to establish relationships with universities all over the world that placed premium on practically-oriented training.
“Our desire has always been to remain a leader in producing well-baked graduates who are practically and academically proficient to meet the needs of the market,” the VC explained.
He mentioned the Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (TTFPP) as the university’s flagship programme that is used to meet the objective of providing the practical aspect of the training.
The UESTC, which is one of China’s leading science and technology institutions, already has an existing partnership with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the Koforidua Polytechnic.
TWO MINISTERS INVOLVED IN SEPARATE ACCIDENTS (PAGE 49, MAR 28, 2011)
THE Deputy Minister of Education, Mr Mahama Ayariga is responding to treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) where he has been hospitalised after he was involved in an accident in the early hours of Sunday.
At press time, yesterday (Sunday), he was being attended to by specialists at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), after he had earlier on been operated upon.
The Chief Executive Officer of the TTH, Dr Ken Sagoe said the hospital would brief the media on the situation of the deputy minister at a time deemed appropriate.
Information gathered by this paper revealed that Mr Ayariga was on his way to Tamale from Bolga along with his driver and another passenger when they crushed onto a cargo truck parked on a portion of the road at Nasia, in the West Mamprusi district.
The driver of the vehicle and the other passenger, whose names were not given, sustained minor injuries and were treated and discharged.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, who visited Mr Ayariga at the hospital, told the Daily Graphic that the deputy minister was recuperating.
“I could not gather much from him on the nature of the accident and how he was feeling because he was in pain,” he stated.
The Minister commended the doctors at the TTH for their swift response, adding that “they have done a good job on Ayariga.”
At press time, yesterday (Sunday), he was being attended to by specialists at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), after he had earlier on been operated upon.
The Chief Executive Officer of the TTH, Dr Ken Sagoe said the hospital would brief the media on the situation of the deputy minister at a time deemed appropriate.
Information gathered by this paper revealed that Mr Ayariga was on his way to Tamale from Bolga along with his driver and another passenger when they crushed onto a cargo truck parked on a portion of the road at Nasia, in the West Mamprusi district.
The driver of the vehicle and the other passenger, whose names were not given, sustained minor injuries and were treated and discharged.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, who visited Mr Ayariga at the hospital, told the Daily Graphic that the deputy minister was recuperating.
“I could not gather much from him on the nature of the accident and how he was feeling because he was in pain,” he stated.
The Minister commended the doctors at the TTH for their swift response, adding that “they have done a good job on Ayariga.”
DEAD RATS IN COURT - AS POLICE EXHIBITS (MIRROR, PAGE 3, MAR 26, 2011)
A STATE prosecutor created an interesting spectacle in court when he brought in a quantity of dead rats into the courtroom as evidence to back the prosecution of some nine persons.
They had been arrested for allegedly setting fire to a farm whiles hunting for rats and other rodents.
He told the Tamale district magistrate court, presided over by His Worship Gabriel Mate-Teye, that the rats, contained in a PP mesh (fertilizer) bag, were the catch of the group and that they were seized by the police during the arrest and preserved in a fridge.
Other items seized from the group, which includes 16 bicycles and a motorbike, were also brought to court as more exhibits.
The judge sentenced two of the suspects – Osman Adam, 18, student and Latif Osman, 20, farmer – to two weeks imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to the charge of negligently causing unlawful damage contrary to section 12 and 172 of Act 29/30 of the Criminal Code.
The two are also to pay the cost of the damage that was caused to the farm, failure of which would further attract a one-month jail sentence.
He again ruled that the bicycles and motorbike be given to community volunteers who are helping the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement the Ghana Environmental Management Project (GEMP).
The judge however let out some comic relief when he asked the observers in the court what should be done to the rats.
The case of another suspect, Adam Fuseini, 20, an electrician, who pleaded not guilty, was adjourned to Friday, March 25, after he was granted surety of GH¢200.
Earlier on Wednesday, March 16, the other six suspects, who were identified as juveniles, appeared before the juvenile court and they were found guilty.
Consequently, the court bonded them for a period of two years to be of good behaviour and avoid partaking in any activity that is harmful to the environment.
The prosecutor, Insp. Johnson Cheremeh said the nine persons, who were among a group of hunters, were arrested by the Police Mobile Task Force on the evening of Saturday January 22nd, 2011, following an urgent report made to the police by the EPA.
He said the group had set fire to farms and bushes in Nyamalga, a farming community in the East Gonja district.
Insp. Cheremeh mentioned that the group went on the hunting expedition with motorbikes and bicycles and were desperate to catch some bush animals.
He said in the process, the group set fire to a 36-acre cowpea farm, because a rodent they were pursuing had supposedly run into the nearby farm.
The case involving the nine persons opened in court last Monday, March 14, 2011, but the magistrate requested that a separate charge sheet be prepared, since six of the suspects were identified as juveniles.
Meanwhile, Mr Mate-Teye has cautioned all persons who engage in bush burning to avoid the practice or be made to face the music.
He said the court would remain resolute in ensuring that no one gets away with it after causing damage to the environment, which, he noted, was humans’ source of livelihood.
Mr Mate-Teye was full of praise for officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for pursuing the matter, in spite of pressure from various influential persons for the case to be dropped.
They had been arrested for allegedly setting fire to a farm whiles hunting for rats and other rodents.
He told the Tamale district magistrate court, presided over by His Worship Gabriel Mate-Teye, that the rats, contained in a PP mesh (fertilizer) bag, were the catch of the group and that they were seized by the police during the arrest and preserved in a fridge.
Other items seized from the group, which includes 16 bicycles and a motorbike, were also brought to court as more exhibits.
The judge sentenced two of the suspects – Osman Adam, 18, student and Latif Osman, 20, farmer – to two weeks imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to the charge of negligently causing unlawful damage contrary to section 12 and 172 of Act 29/30 of the Criminal Code.
The two are also to pay the cost of the damage that was caused to the farm, failure of which would further attract a one-month jail sentence.
He again ruled that the bicycles and motorbike be given to community volunteers who are helping the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement the Ghana Environmental Management Project (GEMP).
The judge however let out some comic relief when he asked the observers in the court what should be done to the rats.
The case of another suspect, Adam Fuseini, 20, an electrician, who pleaded not guilty, was adjourned to Friday, March 25, after he was granted surety of GH¢200.
Earlier on Wednesday, March 16, the other six suspects, who were identified as juveniles, appeared before the juvenile court and they were found guilty.
Consequently, the court bonded them for a period of two years to be of good behaviour and avoid partaking in any activity that is harmful to the environment.
The prosecutor, Insp. Johnson Cheremeh said the nine persons, who were among a group of hunters, were arrested by the Police Mobile Task Force on the evening of Saturday January 22nd, 2011, following an urgent report made to the police by the EPA.
He said the group had set fire to farms and bushes in Nyamalga, a farming community in the East Gonja district.
Insp. Cheremeh mentioned that the group went on the hunting expedition with motorbikes and bicycles and were desperate to catch some bush animals.
He said in the process, the group set fire to a 36-acre cowpea farm, because a rodent they were pursuing had supposedly run into the nearby farm.
The case involving the nine persons opened in court last Monday, March 14, 2011, but the magistrate requested that a separate charge sheet be prepared, since six of the suspects were identified as juveniles.
Meanwhile, Mr Mate-Teye has cautioned all persons who engage in bush burning to avoid the practice or be made to face the music.
He said the court would remain resolute in ensuring that no one gets away with it after causing damage to the environment, which, he noted, was humans’ source of livelihood.
Mr Mate-Teye was full of praise for officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for pursuing the matter, in spite of pressure from various influential persons for the case to be dropped.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
ELIMINATING OBSTETRIC FISTULA - ALL HANDS ON DECK (PAGE 11, MAR 24, 2011)
IT does not take only health professionals to fight the canker of obstetric fistula, since this deadly condition can be prevented with the support of various actors in the community.
This is the message that the Department of Women in the Northern Region has decided to drum home to the ears of inhabitants of the region, most of whom have for long stood aloof and watched women affected by fistula to suffer in silence.
This condition, according to medical experts, is a severe medical condition in which a hole, known as a fistula, develops either between the rectum and vagina or between the bladder and vagina of a woman after severe or failed childbirth.
It occurs when adequate medical care is not available for the woman in times of complications or sometimes due to sexual trauma.
Women who develop any of these conditions either pass urine or stool or both through the vagina, thereby putting them in a debilitating state.
As a result, they become outcasts in their families and communities because their condition makes them dirty in the eyes of other people and, consequently, many of them lose their marriages.
In some communities, fistula patients are even considered to have been afflicted by some form of witchcraft or a curse.
Personnel at the Department of Women therefore believe it is high time that the northern community are educated on the nature of fistula and how all could contribute towards its prevention.
In line with this objective, the department organised a symposia in Tamale to shed light on how every member of the community could help prevent fistula.
The symposia, which also discussed other areas of gender empowerment, formed part of activities to mark the centenary celebrations of the International Women’s Day.
In order to reach a wide range of critical actors in the community, the department ensured that the function was attended by opinion leaders, traditional rulers, women, students, health professionals, media personnel, among others.
Speaking at the symposia, a gynaecologist at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), Dr Banabas Gandaw noted that the occurrence of fistula was an indication of the failure of all partners to ensure the proper management of pregnancies.
He said pregnant women required a number of services to enable them undergo safe delivery and recuperation, some which include, family planning, antenatal care, comprehensive and emergency obstetric care and post-natal care.
Dr Gandaw, who spoke on the topic “proper management of pregnancies and obstetric fistula and related damages,” further explained that there were various roles that communities could play in ensuring safe motherhood.
Some of these, he mentioned, include providing transport, supporting the work of health professionals, encouraging men to be responsible, abolishing harmful traditional practices, championing the education of the girl-child and giving a voice to women.
“In fact, a prepared and responsible family and community is the primary source of good pregnancy outcomes,” he added.
Dr Gandaw stressed that pregnancy care should be the concern of all, “because it has to do with human existence,” adding that the birth of a girl child should mark the beginning of efforts to groom the child to undergo safe childbirth in her adult life.
In an interview, the Northern Regional Director of the Department of Women, Mr Zakari-Saa Patrick Seidu mentioned that several cases of obstetric fistula were now being reported in the region as the department raised awareness on this condition.
“We have been sensitising the communities on the need to support their women who are living with fistula by bringing them for treatment and showing care and concern to facilitate their recuperation,” he stated.
He said since the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) started supporting the fight against fistula, many women have been treated and successfully reintegrated into their families and communities.
The director again mentioned that parents were being encouraged to protect their female children from early marriages and teenage pregnancies, since these exposed the children to complications, such as fistula.
With these efforts, it is hoped that more women who are suffering in silence due to fistula would seek care and that the number of women who develop this condition each year would also reduce considerably.
This is the message that the Department of Women in the Northern Region has decided to drum home to the ears of inhabitants of the region, most of whom have for long stood aloof and watched women affected by fistula to suffer in silence.
This condition, according to medical experts, is a severe medical condition in which a hole, known as a fistula, develops either between the rectum and vagina or between the bladder and vagina of a woman after severe or failed childbirth.
It occurs when adequate medical care is not available for the woman in times of complications or sometimes due to sexual trauma.
Women who develop any of these conditions either pass urine or stool or both through the vagina, thereby putting them in a debilitating state.
As a result, they become outcasts in their families and communities because their condition makes them dirty in the eyes of other people and, consequently, many of them lose their marriages.
In some communities, fistula patients are even considered to have been afflicted by some form of witchcraft or a curse.
Personnel at the Department of Women therefore believe it is high time that the northern community are educated on the nature of fistula and how all could contribute towards its prevention.
In line with this objective, the department organised a symposia in Tamale to shed light on how every member of the community could help prevent fistula.
The symposia, which also discussed other areas of gender empowerment, formed part of activities to mark the centenary celebrations of the International Women’s Day.
In order to reach a wide range of critical actors in the community, the department ensured that the function was attended by opinion leaders, traditional rulers, women, students, health professionals, media personnel, among others.
Speaking at the symposia, a gynaecologist at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), Dr Banabas Gandaw noted that the occurrence of fistula was an indication of the failure of all partners to ensure the proper management of pregnancies.
He said pregnant women required a number of services to enable them undergo safe delivery and recuperation, some which include, family planning, antenatal care, comprehensive and emergency obstetric care and post-natal care.
Dr Gandaw, who spoke on the topic “proper management of pregnancies and obstetric fistula and related damages,” further explained that there were various roles that communities could play in ensuring safe motherhood.
Some of these, he mentioned, include providing transport, supporting the work of health professionals, encouraging men to be responsible, abolishing harmful traditional practices, championing the education of the girl-child and giving a voice to women.
“In fact, a prepared and responsible family and community is the primary source of good pregnancy outcomes,” he added.
Dr Gandaw stressed that pregnancy care should be the concern of all, “because it has to do with human existence,” adding that the birth of a girl child should mark the beginning of efforts to groom the child to undergo safe childbirth in her adult life.
In an interview, the Northern Regional Director of the Department of Women, Mr Zakari-Saa Patrick Seidu mentioned that several cases of obstetric fistula were now being reported in the region as the department raised awareness on this condition.
“We have been sensitising the communities on the need to support their women who are living with fistula by bringing them for treatment and showing care and concern to facilitate their recuperation,” he stated.
He said since the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) started supporting the fight against fistula, many women have been treated and successfully reintegrated into their families and communities.
The director again mentioned that parents were being encouraged to protect their female children from early marriages and teenage pregnancies, since these exposed the children to complications, such as fistula.
With these efforts, it is hoped that more women who are suffering in silence due to fistula would seek care and that the number of women who develop this condition each year would also reduce considerably.
ROCKY DAWUNI SINGS GUINEA WORM AWAY (SHOWBIZ, PAGE 6, MAR 24, 2011)
INTERNATIONALLY-acclaimed Ghanaian reggae and afro pop artiste, Rocky Dawuni sung his heart out last Saturday in support of efforts to bring an end to the spread of guinea worm in the country.
Although the concert served as this year’s version of Rocky Dawuni’s annual Independence Splash, which is organised by Africa LIVE, the main agenda was to inspire the residents of Tamale to join hands in saying goodbye to guinea worm.
Quite a number of reggae funs were at the Tamale Sports Stadium to show solidarity with the Ghanaian reggae icon and to demonstrate their support for the guinea worm eradication programme.
Rocky, spotted in his brown loose-top and white trousers, mounted the stage some minutes past 12:00pm and sparked the audience into some spontaneous reggae-style boogie as he delivered his African Reggae Fever, one of the notable songs on his latest album, Hymns for the Rebel Soul.
He also unleashed some of his popular songs, including Master Plan, Download the Revolution, Africa for Learn and Extraordinary Woman much to the delight of the audience.
Rocky’s rendition of his hit-song In Ghana, which actually brought him into limelight, was the icing on the cake as it turned the stadium into a jamboree, forcing Rocky Dawuni to step down from the stage to join the dancing crowd.
In fact, not only did Rocky sing, but he also gave out words of advice to the patrons of the show to be observant and report any case of guinea worm to health authorities for swift response.
“For long, we have suffered under the spell of this disease and we are about to win the war against this disease, so it is in our interest to support the eradication efforts,” he stated.
Prior to his performance, Northern hip-life artistes George Cliff and Lil Malik, as well as reggae icons, Blakk Rasta and Sherif Ghale, put up some exciting performances to warm up the audience.
An out of the blue performance by little Sophia and Aisha gave the concert a sweet childhood appeal, as they gave a lovely rendition of Rocky’s Take it slow (love, love, love), with Aisha playing on the guitar.
Their performance was greeted with a round of applause by the audience, who, apparently, were not expecting that side attraction.
Interestingly, Sophia, who is eight years, is the daughter of Rocky Dawuni, whiles 12 year-old Aisha is the daughter of Dr Sule Gariba, a board member of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA).
Meanwhile, in spite of the hype the concert enjoyed in the local media some days before the show, many of the patrons wondered why the show was poorly attended.
“I had expected to come and see a large crowd at the stadium, but I must admit that I am disappointed,” Ms Kanita Abdul-Somed told the Showbiz.
The concert was sponsored by UNICEF, European Union, The Carter Center and supported by other partners, including the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, CityLink Airlines, Gariba Lodge, Elike Dezigns and Naturel Soap.
Although the concert served as this year’s version of Rocky Dawuni’s annual Independence Splash, which is organised by Africa LIVE, the main agenda was to inspire the residents of Tamale to join hands in saying goodbye to guinea worm.
Quite a number of reggae funs were at the Tamale Sports Stadium to show solidarity with the Ghanaian reggae icon and to demonstrate their support for the guinea worm eradication programme.
Rocky, spotted in his brown loose-top and white trousers, mounted the stage some minutes past 12:00pm and sparked the audience into some spontaneous reggae-style boogie as he delivered his African Reggae Fever, one of the notable songs on his latest album, Hymns for the Rebel Soul.
He also unleashed some of his popular songs, including Master Plan, Download the Revolution, Africa for Learn and Extraordinary Woman much to the delight of the audience.
Rocky’s rendition of his hit-song In Ghana, which actually brought him into limelight, was the icing on the cake as it turned the stadium into a jamboree, forcing Rocky Dawuni to step down from the stage to join the dancing crowd.
In fact, not only did Rocky sing, but he also gave out words of advice to the patrons of the show to be observant and report any case of guinea worm to health authorities for swift response.
“For long, we have suffered under the spell of this disease and we are about to win the war against this disease, so it is in our interest to support the eradication efforts,” he stated.
Prior to his performance, Northern hip-life artistes George Cliff and Lil Malik, as well as reggae icons, Blakk Rasta and Sherif Ghale, put up some exciting performances to warm up the audience.
An out of the blue performance by little Sophia and Aisha gave the concert a sweet childhood appeal, as they gave a lovely rendition of Rocky’s Take it slow (love, love, love), with Aisha playing on the guitar.
Their performance was greeted with a round of applause by the audience, who, apparently, were not expecting that side attraction.
Interestingly, Sophia, who is eight years, is the daughter of Rocky Dawuni, whiles 12 year-old Aisha is the daughter of Dr Sule Gariba, a board member of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA).
Meanwhile, in spite of the hype the concert enjoyed in the local media some days before the show, many of the patrons wondered why the show was poorly attended.
“I had expected to come and see a large crowd at the stadium, but I must admit that I am disappointed,” Ms Kanita Abdul-Somed told the Showbiz.
The concert was sponsored by UNICEF, European Union, The Carter Center and supported by other partners, including the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, CityLink Airlines, Gariba Lodge, Elike Dezigns and Naturel Soap.
CSM CLAIMS 16 LIVES IN NORTHERN REGION (FRONT PAGE, A3, MAR 23, 2011)
SIXTEEN people have died of the heat-inflicted Celebro-Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in the Northern Region since the beginning of this year.
However, the Northern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Akwasi Twumasi maintains the situation is under control and gives the assurance that there is no cause for alarm.
“Although the deaths may appear alarming, we are not at the point of an outbreak. We are monitoring the cases and it has not reached an alert or epidemic threshold,” he told the Daily Graphic in an interview in Tamale.
Also, a total of 95 cases of CSM have so far been recorded between January and March this year.
According to Dr Twumasi, this is certainly an improvement over that of last year, because last year, the region recorded 223 cases of CSM, “but this year, it may not even exceed 100 due to the onset of the rains.”
In his estimation, the annual CSM infection is on the decline due to a number of factors, such as increased surveillance and targeted vaccination.
“This year, the delayed rainy season and the presence of humidity may have contributed to the low case load,” Dr Twumasi mentioned.
According to the figures made available to this paper, three districts are leading with the highest number of recorded cases.
They are the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo, with 15 cases, East Mamprusi with 23 cases and West Mamprusi, eight cases. The Tamale metropolis has also recorded 11 cases.
The Regional Surveillance Officer, Mr Edward Accrachie Abu further indicated that every district had its alert threshold and that none of them had reached its threshold.
He therefore entreated the media to give the appropriate information regarding the CSM infection and avoiding creating panic among the general public.
According to medical experts, CSM is an epidemic and endemic febrile disease, characterised by inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, which gives rise to severe headaches, tenderness of the back of the neck and the eventual paralysis of the ocular muscles.
Though it is not contagious, it can kill its victims faster than expected. One of the recommended ways of avoiding CSM is to keep away from crowded areas during the heat season.
Meanwhile, Dr Twumasi also spoke on the Cholera outbreak in parts of the country, but indicated that no single case of the disease had been reported in the Northern Region.
“This does not mean that we are not at risk. The rains are coming and that is when Cholera is rife,” he stated.
Dr Twumasi noted that the Regional Health Directorate was on the look out for any suspected cases so as to arrest it and prevent it from spreading further.
“We are also educating the public to practice sanitation, such as hand-washing with soap and eating food prepared at hygienic places,” he added.
The director mentioned the Integrated Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (IWASH) project being sponsored by the European Union (EU) and UNICEF as one of the interventions being directed towards sanitation and water provision.
“Under the project, toilets and water facilities are being provided and people are being sensitised on the need to practice hand-washing with soap,” he noted.
However, the Northern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Akwasi Twumasi maintains the situation is under control and gives the assurance that there is no cause for alarm.
“Although the deaths may appear alarming, we are not at the point of an outbreak. We are monitoring the cases and it has not reached an alert or epidemic threshold,” he told the Daily Graphic in an interview in Tamale.
Also, a total of 95 cases of CSM have so far been recorded between January and March this year.
According to Dr Twumasi, this is certainly an improvement over that of last year, because last year, the region recorded 223 cases of CSM, “but this year, it may not even exceed 100 due to the onset of the rains.”
In his estimation, the annual CSM infection is on the decline due to a number of factors, such as increased surveillance and targeted vaccination.
“This year, the delayed rainy season and the presence of humidity may have contributed to the low case load,” Dr Twumasi mentioned.
According to the figures made available to this paper, three districts are leading with the highest number of recorded cases.
They are the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo, with 15 cases, East Mamprusi with 23 cases and West Mamprusi, eight cases. The Tamale metropolis has also recorded 11 cases.
The Regional Surveillance Officer, Mr Edward Accrachie Abu further indicated that every district had its alert threshold and that none of them had reached its threshold.
He therefore entreated the media to give the appropriate information regarding the CSM infection and avoiding creating panic among the general public.
According to medical experts, CSM is an epidemic and endemic febrile disease, characterised by inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, which gives rise to severe headaches, tenderness of the back of the neck and the eventual paralysis of the ocular muscles.
Though it is not contagious, it can kill its victims faster than expected. One of the recommended ways of avoiding CSM is to keep away from crowded areas during the heat season.
Meanwhile, Dr Twumasi also spoke on the Cholera outbreak in parts of the country, but indicated that no single case of the disease had been reported in the Northern Region.
“This does not mean that we are not at risk. The rains are coming and that is when Cholera is rife,” he stated.
Dr Twumasi noted that the Regional Health Directorate was on the look out for any suspected cases so as to arrest it and prevent it from spreading further.
“We are also educating the public to practice sanitation, such as hand-washing with soap and eating food prepared at hygienic places,” he added.
The director mentioned the Integrated Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (IWASH) project being sponsored by the European Union (EU) and UNICEF as one of the interventions being directed towards sanitation and water provision.
“Under the project, toilets and water facilities are being provided and people are being sensitised on the need to practice hand-washing with soap,” he noted.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
WOMEN IN GOVERNANCE MUST DELIVER TO INSPIRE (PAGE 11, MAR 22, 2011)
GETTING more women elected into governance positions should not be the ultimate concern for gender activists, a development practitioner, Ms Inger Millard has observed.
In her estimation, the real work for women begins when they get the opportunity to serve in decision making and implementation either at the local or national levels.
“They must justify their selection by delivering to meet expectations and also serve as a source of inspiration to other women,” Ms Millard stated in an interview with the Daily Graphic at the sidelines of a media review meeting organised by the Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA) in Tamale.
She noted that the attitudes and achievements of women in governance positions played a critical role in shaping people’s ideas about the capabilities of women, as well as urging other women to aspire to such positions.
She said the system was in dire need of role models who would be the examples of successful women leaders for others to emulate.
Ms Inger also mentioned the need for women in governance to meander their way into the corridors of power so as to make their voices heard and acted on.
“The power game has been dominated by men and so women who get into governance must get involved in this game to enable them create an enabling environment for other women to come on board,” she mentioned.
A Civil Society Organisation consultant, Ms Nina Lauritzen, who also spoke to this paper, mentioned the need for NGOs to provide some form of support to women who are already in the governance structure.
According to her, at several international conventions, women from Latin America revealed that the challenge for them arose when they got elected into office, due to the huge expectations.
She explained that there are different support modules for women in governance and that Ghana needed to implement the one that suits its needs.
“In some countries, the support system is in the form of mentoring, where women achievers tend to support the development of other women who have been elected into office with little experience,” she said.
She therefore suggested the need for the NGOs to conduct needs assessments on women who are in governance so as to determine how to support these women to enable them perform in line with their capabilities.
The media review meeting discussed many issues regarding projects being implemented by the GDCA in areas such as women empowerment, rural water supply, hygiene and sanitation, education and youth development.
In her estimation, the real work for women begins when they get the opportunity to serve in decision making and implementation either at the local or national levels.
“They must justify their selection by delivering to meet expectations and also serve as a source of inspiration to other women,” Ms Millard stated in an interview with the Daily Graphic at the sidelines of a media review meeting organised by the Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA) in Tamale.
She noted that the attitudes and achievements of women in governance positions played a critical role in shaping people’s ideas about the capabilities of women, as well as urging other women to aspire to such positions.
She said the system was in dire need of role models who would be the examples of successful women leaders for others to emulate.
Ms Inger also mentioned the need for women in governance to meander their way into the corridors of power so as to make their voices heard and acted on.
“The power game has been dominated by men and so women who get into governance must get involved in this game to enable them create an enabling environment for other women to come on board,” she mentioned.
A Civil Society Organisation consultant, Ms Nina Lauritzen, who also spoke to this paper, mentioned the need for NGOs to provide some form of support to women who are already in the governance structure.
According to her, at several international conventions, women from Latin America revealed that the challenge for them arose when they got elected into office, due to the huge expectations.
She explained that there are different support modules for women in governance and that Ghana needed to implement the one that suits its needs.
“In some countries, the support system is in the form of mentoring, where women achievers tend to support the development of other women who have been elected into office with little experience,” she said.
She therefore suggested the need for the NGOs to conduct needs assessments on women who are in governance so as to determine how to support these women to enable them perform in line with their capabilities.
The media review meeting discussed many issues regarding projects being implemented by the GDCA in areas such as women empowerment, rural water supply, hygiene and sanitation, education and youth development.
POLYTECHNICS, KEY TO BETTER GHANA AGENDA - MOULD-IDDRISU (PAGE 13, MAR 17, 2011)
THE government’s desire to transform the country in line with the “Better Ghana” agenda would require the support of the country’s polytechnics, the Minister of Education, Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu has observed.
According to her, one of the building blocks of a better Ghana is the availability of a competent middle level human resource to run the industries so as to increase production and reduce the country’s reliance on imported items.
She said the polytechnics were therefore expected to provide the opportunity for skills development, training and competencies in the relevant fields that would in turn provide the much needed middle level manpower needs of the nation.
Mrs Iddrisu said this in a speech read on her behalf in Tamale during the fifth congregation ceremony of the Tamale Polytechnic.
She said given the appropriate training and orientation, “the polytechnic graduate should be able to link and apply what has been learnt to the 21st century’s world of work and industry.”
The Education Minister further noted that the relevance of the polytechnics had become more pronounced following the country’s commencement of oil production.
“Discovery and drilling of oil in commercial quantities brings along with it the need for advanced petroleum engineers, laboratory technicians and many others,” she noted.
Mrs Iddrisu also mentioned job creation as another ingredient of the better Ghana, pointing out that polytechnics were expected to lead in providing self-employable skills to the youth.
“It is therefore the hope of government that polytechnic graduates would establish their own businesses and also employ others. This is the only way we can all come together to achieve our goal of a better Ghana for our children and posterity,” she mentioned.
The Minister said in recognition of the importance of polytechnics, the government, through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), had advanced some resources towards the infrastructural development of all public polytechnics in the country.
“The 10 polytechnics across the country have all witnessed massive infrastructural development through the GETFund support scheme,” she stated, pledging further support.
Aside from the improvement in infrastructure, Mrs Iddrisu made mention of efforts being made towards improving the conditions of service of polytechnic staff.
“The current Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) would attempt to correct existing anomalies that have been detected in both public and civil servants remunerations,” she mentioned.
The minister therefore urged the polytechnic staff to exercise restraint whiles the government fixes the challenges regarding the implementation of the new pay policy.
“Strikes are not effective ways of settling disagreements. At the end of every strike, all stakeholders in the education sector tend to lose. We should therefore always try to avoid them as much as possible,” she added.
According to her, one of the building blocks of a better Ghana is the availability of a competent middle level human resource to run the industries so as to increase production and reduce the country’s reliance on imported items.
She said the polytechnics were therefore expected to provide the opportunity for skills development, training and competencies in the relevant fields that would in turn provide the much needed middle level manpower needs of the nation.
Mrs Iddrisu said this in a speech read on her behalf in Tamale during the fifth congregation ceremony of the Tamale Polytechnic.
She said given the appropriate training and orientation, “the polytechnic graduate should be able to link and apply what has been learnt to the 21st century’s world of work and industry.”
The Education Minister further noted that the relevance of the polytechnics had become more pronounced following the country’s commencement of oil production.
“Discovery and drilling of oil in commercial quantities brings along with it the need for advanced petroleum engineers, laboratory technicians and many others,” she noted.
Mrs Iddrisu also mentioned job creation as another ingredient of the better Ghana, pointing out that polytechnics were expected to lead in providing self-employable skills to the youth.
“It is therefore the hope of government that polytechnic graduates would establish their own businesses and also employ others. This is the only way we can all come together to achieve our goal of a better Ghana for our children and posterity,” she mentioned.
The Minister said in recognition of the importance of polytechnics, the government, through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), had advanced some resources towards the infrastructural development of all public polytechnics in the country.
“The 10 polytechnics across the country have all witnessed massive infrastructural development through the GETFund support scheme,” she stated, pledging further support.
Aside from the improvement in infrastructure, Mrs Iddrisu made mention of efforts being made towards improving the conditions of service of polytechnic staff.
“The current Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) would attempt to correct existing anomalies that have been detected in both public and civil servants remunerations,” she mentioned.
The minister therefore urged the polytechnic staff to exercise restraint whiles the government fixes the challenges regarding the implementation of the new pay policy.
“Strikes are not effective ways of settling disagreements. At the end of every strike, all stakeholders in the education sector tend to lose. We should therefore always try to avoid them as much as possible,” she added.
UTILISE WARNING SIGNALS IN MANAGING CONFLICTS - NGOs URGE GOVT (PAGE 12, MAR 12, 2011)
LOCAL and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the Northern Region have urged the government to utilise early warning signals towards managing conflicts in the country.
According to them, the failure of the government to tackle conflicts at their infancy contributes to the escalation of conflicts in many parts of the country, making it more difficult and costly to manage.
The NGOs made the call at a workshop in Tamale organised by the Ghana Network for Peace-building (GHANEP) to introduce the representatives of these NGOs to GHANEP’s early warning system and seek collaboration towards its successful implementation.
The NGOs noted that the government could avoid the situation of having to spend huge sums of money on peace operations and other conflict intervention measures.
It is estimated, for instance, that the government spends millions of cedis to cater for security officials who have been detailed to maintain peace in conflict prone zones in the country, as is currently the case in Bawku.
Such monies, the NGOs noted, could have been spent on the provision of schools, roads, health centres, educational materials and many more.
“We need to utilise early warning systems to enable us deal effectively with the countless conflict situations in all parts of the country,” Mr Damma Salifu, a representative of the United Nation’s Joint Human Security Programme stated.
He said early warning becomes irrelevant when it is not followed by an effective and timely response to these threats.
Mr Salifu again stressed the need for all the organisations working in the area of conflict management to avoid duplication of efforts and synergise their activities to achieve best results.
GHANEP launched the National Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) in 2009 to assist security institutions and peace analysts with timely information on security threats in various parts of the country, especially those identified as hot spots.
As part of the implementation, GHANEP operates a web-based system, known as ‘Ghanawarn’, which is designed to capture early warning information on possible crime and conflicts in the form of incident and situational reports. It is the second of that sort in Sub-Saharan Africa.
A database centre that is situated in Tamale, at the GHANEP secretariat, co-ordinates these reports from various surveillance teams and inputs this information onto the Ghanawarn system.
The objective of the EWRS is to shift the focus of the country from an interventionist approach of managing conflicts to a preventive and peace-building approach.
According to the National Co-ordinator of GHANEP, Mr Justin Bayor, it is far easier and less costly to intervene in conflicts at its early stage than when it degenerates.
He said this was the reason why GHANEP was promoting the early warning system as a more effective tool for managing conflicts in the country.
Mr Bayor noted that in addition to the implementation of the early warning system, GHANEP provided training to various groups in conflict transformation and management.
According to them, the failure of the government to tackle conflicts at their infancy contributes to the escalation of conflicts in many parts of the country, making it more difficult and costly to manage.
The NGOs made the call at a workshop in Tamale organised by the Ghana Network for Peace-building (GHANEP) to introduce the representatives of these NGOs to GHANEP’s early warning system and seek collaboration towards its successful implementation.
The NGOs noted that the government could avoid the situation of having to spend huge sums of money on peace operations and other conflict intervention measures.
It is estimated, for instance, that the government spends millions of cedis to cater for security officials who have been detailed to maintain peace in conflict prone zones in the country, as is currently the case in Bawku.
Such monies, the NGOs noted, could have been spent on the provision of schools, roads, health centres, educational materials and many more.
“We need to utilise early warning systems to enable us deal effectively with the countless conflict situations in all parts of the country,” Mr Damma Salifu, a representative of the United Nation’s Joint Human Security Programme stated.
He said early warning becomes irrelevant when it is not followed by an effective and timely response to these threats.
Mr Salifu again stressed the need for all the organisations working in the area of conflict management to avoid duplication of efforts and synergise their activities to achieve best results.
GHANEP launched the National Early Warning and Response System (EWRS) in 2009 to assist security institutions and peace analysts with timely information on security threats in various parts of the country, especially those identified as hot spots.
As part of the implementation, GHANEP operates a web-based system, known as ‘Ghanawarn’, which is designed to capture early warning information on possible crime and conflicts in the form of incident and situational reports. It is the second of that sort in Sub-Saharan Africa.
A database centre that is situated in Tamale, at the GHANEP secretariat, co-ordinates these reports from various surveillance teams and inputs this information onto the Ghanawarn system.
The objective of the EWRS is to shift the focus of the country from an interventionist approach of managing conflicts to a preventive and peace-building approach.
According to the National Co-ordinator of GHANEP, Mr Justin Bayor, it is far easier and less costly to intervene in conflicts at its early stage than when it degenerates.
He said this was the reason why GHANEP was promoting the early warning system as a more effective tool for managing conflicts in the country.
Mr Bayor noted that in addition to the implementation of the early warning system, GHANEP provided training to various groups in conflict transformation and management.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
VEEP INAUGURATES 5 POLYCLINICS IN NR (BACK PAGE, MAR 9, 2011)
THE Vice President, Mr John Dramani Mahama on Monday commissioned five new ultra-modern polyclinics for five towns in the Northern Region, but cautioned health authorities to ensure that these investments do not become victims of the poor maintenance culture of Ghanaians.
According to him, the country had on countless occasions inaugurated such huge projects, only for these projects to deteriorate in due time due to the failure of authorities to adhere strictly to a maintenance plan for these projects.
“This time around, we must tell a different story with these new projects. I have been told there is a maintenance plan in place and, therefore, it should be followed strictly to protect these investments,” he stated.
A symbolic commissioning ceremony took place at the Janga clinic in the West Mamprusi district to signify the opening of the five polyclinics, with the other four located in Chereponi, Kpandai, Karaga and Tatale.
The construction of the five clinics, which commenced in March, 2009 and completed in July, 2010, was undertaken by the Ministry of Health with financial assistance from the government of Austria at an estimated cost of 7.6m Euros.
Each of these clinics comprises several units that include a 15-bed ward for male, female, paediatric and delivery, five treatment wards, pharmacy and dispensary, laboratory and laundry, as well as a special unit for mother and child health promotion.
It is envisaged that the operation of these new clinics would provide access to quality healthcare delivery for people living in and around these towns.
It is also expected to strengthen the countries’ drive towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on maternal and child health, particularly safe delivery, immunisation, and the integrated management of childhood illness.
The Vice President noted that these projects were a manifestation of the governments’ commitment to creating a decent environment for healthcare delivery by putting in place robust infrastructure for the health sector.
He said the government was also working towards providing health professionals to man these new facilities and gave the assurance that a medical doctor would assume duty at the Janga clinic in April this year.
The Minister of Health, Mr Joseph Yileh Chireh noted that the country had made significant progress in the control of communicable diseases, but added that the challenge now was how to address non-communicable diseases that are generated by poor lifestyles.
He therefore cautioned the people to shun excessive alcohol intake, tobacco smoking and other unhealthy lifestyles, noting that the provision of health facilities and professionals was not enough to guarantee one’s good health.
The health minister again noted that the government had instituted measures to address the problem of health professionals refusing postings to rural areas.
“The government’s policy has been designed in favour of health professionals who serve in rural areas,” he mentioned, adding that these professionals would be given incentives, such as further training and promotion.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba said the provision of the new clinics would improve health delivery in the region especially in the reduction of maternal and child mortality.
Other functionaries who graced the ceremony included the Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, some deputy ministers, party functionaries and heads of institutions.
According to him, the country had on countless occasions inaugurated such huge projects, only for these projects to deteriorate in due time due to the failure of authorities to adhere strictly to a maintenance plan for these projects.
“This time around, we must tell a different story with these new projects. I have been told there is a maintenance plan in place and, therefore, it should be followed strictly to protect these investments,” he stated.
A symbolic commissioning ceremony took place at the Janga clinic in the West Mamprusi district to signify the opening of the five polyclinics, with the other four located in Chereponi, Kpandai, Karaga and Tatale.
The construction of the five clinics, which commenced in March, 2009 and completed in July, 2010, was undertaken by the Ministry of Health with financial assistance from the government of Austria at an estimated cost of 7.6m Euros.
Each of these clinics comprises several units that include a 15-bed ward for male, female, paediatric and delivery, five treatment wards, pharmacy and dispensary, laboratory and laundry, as well as a special unit for mother and child health promotion.
It is envisaged that the operation of these new clinics would provide access to quality healthcare delivery for people living in and around these towns.
It is also expected to strengthen the countries’ drive towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on maternal and child health, particularly safe delivery, immunisation, and the integrated management of childhood illness.
The Vice President noted that these projects were a manifestation of the governments’ commitment to creating a decent environment for healthcare delivery by putting in place robust infrastructure for the health sector.
He said the government was also working towards providing health professionals to man these new facilities and gave the assurance that a medical doctor would assume duty at the Janga clinic in April this year.
The Minister of Health, Mr Joseph Yileh Chireh noted that the country had made significant progress in the control of communicable diseases, but added that the challenge now was how to address non-communicable diseases that are generated by poor lifestyles.
He therefore cautioned the people to shun excessive alcohol intake, tobacco smoking and other unhealthy lifestyles, noting that the provision of health facilities and professionals was not enough to guarantee one’s good health.
The health minister again noted that the government had instituted measures to address the problem of health professionals refusing postings to rural areas.
“The government’s policy has been designed in favour of health professionals who serve in rural areas,” he mentioned, adding that these professionals would be given incentives, such as further training and promotion.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba said the provision of the new clinics would improve health delivery in the region especially in the reduction of maternal and child mortality.
Other functionaries who graced the ceremony included the Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, some deputy ministers, party functionaries and heads of institutions.
COTTON PRODUCTION TO GET A MAJOR PUSH (BACK PAGE, WED, MAR 9, 2011)
GHANA’S cotton industry is set for a leap this year following the successful take-off of the cotton sector revival programme, dubbed the ‘White Gold Campaign’.
An estimated 100,000 metric tonnes of lint cotton is expected to be produced in Ghana by the end of next year, which would mark a significant departure from the current production levels of about 3000 metric tonnes.
About 100,000 farmers would undertake cotton farming this year and this figure is expected to double in the next coming years.
The Vice President, Mr John Dramani Mahama announced this in Nanton in the Northern Region when he launched the operations of Armajaro Ghana Limited, one of the three companies that have been licensed to deal in cotton under the programme.
The other two are Wienco Ghana Limited and Olam Ghana Limited. Under the programme, each of these companies has been allocated a zone to operate in allowing them to pre-finance the activities of cotton farmers in that zone and to engage in the purchase of the raw material.
The role of the Ghana Cotton Company Limited has been limited to the ginneries, where it would make profit from the processing of the raw material for any of the licensed buyers under a tolling arrangement.
Mr Mahama explained that the revival of the cotton sector by the government in partnership with the private sector was directed towards creating a sustainable cash crop economy for northern Ghana, just as cocoa was doing for the south.
“Such an initiative would open employment avenues for people in the north and help stem the tide of poverty, which is more pronounced in the Savannah areas,” he stated.
The Vice President indicated that the World Bank and the International Finance Co-operation (IFC) had agreed to support the cotton revival initiative, particularly in building strong farmer organisations to advance the interests of cotton farmers.
He said as part of reforms of the cotton sector, prices of cotton per tonne per period would be announced to ensure transparency in the dealings of players in the value chain.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Mr Kwesi Ahwoi attributed the successful take-off of the cotton revival initiative to a collaborative work between his ministry and that of trade and industry.
“Mention must be made particularly of Mr Mahama Ayariga, a former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry for his unflinching commitment towards the conception and implementation of the project,” he stated.
The Chairman of Armajaro noted that his company had a proven track record of good performance in the trading of cocoa and gave the assurance that this performance would be replicated in the cotton sector.
“Last year we spent $3m to assist farming communities and this year we intend to invest a minimum of $8m,” he revealed, adding that by the third year, the company’s new investments would have exceeded $30m.
The fortunes of the cotton industry in Ghana had dwindled in the recent past owing to factors such as the rising cost of inputs, unstable international prices of cotton and high interest charges on agricultural loans, which posed operational challenges to the Ghana Cotton Company Limited.
An estimated 100,000 metric tonnes of lint cotton is expected to be produced in Ghana by the end of next year, which would mark a significant departure from the current production levels of about 3000 metric tonnes.
About 100,000 farmers would undertake cotton farming this year and this figure is expected to double in the next coming years.
The Vice President, Mr John Dramani Mahama announced this in Nanton in the Northern Region when he launched the operations of Armajaro Ghana Limited, one of the three companies that have been licensed to deal in cotton under the programme.
The other two are Wienco Ghana Limited and Olam Ghana Limited. Under the programme, each of these companies has been allocated a zone to operate in allowing them to pre-finance the activities of cotton farmers in that zone and to engage in the purchase of the raw material.
The role of the Ghana Cotton Company Limited has been limited to the ginneries, where it would make profit from the processing of the raw material for any of the licensed buyers under a tolling arrangement.
Mr Mahama explained that the revival of the cotton sector by the government in partnership with the private sector was directed towards creating a sustainable cash crop economy for northern Ghana, just as cocoa was doing for the south.
“Such an initiative would open employment avenues for people in the north and help stem the tide of poverty, which is more pronounced in the Savannah areas,” he stated.
The Vice President indicated that the World Bank and the International Finance Co-operation (IFC) had agreed to support the cotton revival initiative, particularly in building strong farmer organisations to advance the interests of cotton farmers.
He said as part of reforms of the cotton sector, prices of cotton per tonne per period would be announced to ensure transparency in the dealings of players in the value chain.
The Minister of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Mr Kwesi Ahwoi attributed the successful take-off of the cotton revival initiative to a collaborative work between his ministry and that of trade and industry.
“Mention must be made particularly of Mr Mahama Ayariga, a former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry for his unflinching commitment towards the conception and implementation of the project,” he stated.
The Chairman of Armajaro noted that his company had a proven track record of good performance in the trading of cocoa and gave the assurance that this performance would be replicated in the cotton sector.
“Last year we spent $3m to assist farming communities and this year we intend to invest a minimum of $8m,” he revealed, adding that by the third year, the company’s new investments would have exceeded $30m.
The fortunes of the cotton industry in Ghana had dwindled in the recent past owing to factors such as the rising cost of inputs, unstable international prices of cotton and high interest charges on agricultural loans, which posed operational challenges to the Ghana Cotton Company Limited.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
KANSS ENTERTAINS TAMALE CHILDREN (PAGE 29, MARCH 4, 2011)
IF the old nursery adage that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” is indeed true, then certainly KANSS Resource and Recreational Centre Limited is moving in the right direction.
The company has suddenly brought some new life into the children of Tamale having introduced an open-door play event, which is gradually catching on with children and parents in the city.
The programme was first held in December, last year, and according to the organisers, about 1000 children attended that event, although it was the first ever play event of such magnitude in the metropolis.
The second edition of the programme took place at the Tamale Sports Stadium annex over the weekend and it witnessed even greater patronage as the entire play ground was filled to capacity by children of various ages.
The children had a good time playing with various play kits that they had previously seen only on television and they included trampolines, bouncers, a little swimming pool, scooters, power wheels and bobble-balls.
There was also sports equipment for games like basketball, football, table tennis and bicycle racing.
Six-year old Maltiti Hanan, who was certainly elated, told the Daily Graphic that she enjoyed herself and would want to be at the play grounds on more occasions.
“I would tell mommy to bring us here always,” she said.
“For me, I heaved a sigh of relief when I learnt of this party. I have always longed for an event where I could send the children to play and entertain themselves,” Ms Joyce Kande, a parent, said in an interview.
She said events like this brought relief to parents because, as she explained, “we get the opportunity to send our children away to such programmes and get time to relax or concentrate on other important activities.”
Another parent, who is also a teacher, Mr Mohammed Abdul Kudus said such events helped to build the confidence of the children and expose them to other children.
He entreated the organisers to make the event more regular, such as on monthly or weekly basis.
In an interview, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KANSS Resource and Recreational Centre, Mr Salia Akibu described the event as overwhelming.
According to him, records showed that about 2500 children patronised the event and this, he indicated, made it impossible for the company to present gifts to all the children, “because our plan was to gift out about 2000 gifts.”
Mr Akibu noted that the essence of the event was to make the kids have some fun outside the house, in addition to some physical exercise through sports.
He noted that the event encountered some challenges, such as ticket racketeering and poor co-operation from other partners, but expressed hope that these challenges would be addressed before the next event.
“We plan to hold another party in March, during the Independence celebrations,” he added.
Meanwhile, the KANSS Resource and Recreational Centre has its parent company in Georgia, Atlanta, in the United States (US).
The company has suddenly brought some new life into the children of Tamale having introduced an open-door play event, which is gradually catching on with children and parents in the city.
The programme was first held in December, last year, and according to the organisers, about 1000 children attended that event, although it was the first ever play event of such magnitude in the metropolis.
The second edition of the programme took place at the Tamale Sports Stadium annex over the weekend and it witnessed even greater patronage as the entire play ground was filled to capacity by children of various ages.
The children had a good time playing with various play kits that they had previously seen only on television and they included trampolines, bouncers, a little swimming pool, scooters, power wheels and bobble-balls.
There was also sports equipment for games like basketball, football, table tennis and bicycle racing.
Six-year old Maltiti Hanan, who was certainly elated, told the Daily Graphic that she enjoyed herself and would want to be at the play grounds on more occasions.
“I would tell mommy to bring us here always,” she said.
“For me, I heaved a sigh of relief when I learnt of this party. I have always longed for an event where I could send the children to play and entertain themselves,” Ms Joyce Kande, a parent, said in an interview.
She said events like this brought relief to parents because, as she explained, “we get the opportunity to send our children away to such programmes and get time to relax or concentrate on other important activities.”
Another parent, who is also a teacher, Mr Mohammed Abdul Kudus said such events helped to build the confidence of the children and expose them to other children.
He entreated the organisers to make the event more regular, such as on monthly or weekly basis.
In an interview, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KANSS Resource and Recreational Centre, Mr Salia Akibu described the event as overwhelming.
According to him, records showed that about 2500 children patronised the event and this, he indicated, made it impossible for the company to present gifts to all the children, “because our plan was to gift out about 2000 gifts.”
Mr Akibu noted that the essence of the event was to make the kids have some fun outside the house, in addition to some physical exercise through sports.
He noted that the event encountered some challenges, such as ticket racketeering and poor co-operation from other partners, but expressed hope that these challenges would be addressed before the next event.
“We plan to hold another party in March, during the Independence celebrations,” he added.
Meanwhile, the KANSS Resource and Recreational Centre has its parent company in Georgia, Atlanta, in the United States (US).
NEGATIVE REPORTS KEEP HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AWAY - DR SAGOE (PAGE 29, MARCH 4, 2011)
MANY health professionals refuse posting to the Northern Region due to the media’s over elaboration and sensationalism of divergent issues in the North, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) has observed.
According to him, many health professionals get alarmed by reports of violence in the north and this discourages them from accepting to serve in the north due to the fear of being victims of violence.
“I have spoken to many professionals outside the region and each time they refuse to come to Tamale, the reason they give is that they have heard in the news that the people are fighting and yet this is not true,” he stated.
Dr Sagoe made these remarks when he addressed media personnel based in Tamale at a media interaction dinner organised by the hospital.
He said the media must avoid exaggerating reports about violent conflicts and tone down on the language used to communicate such issues.
“We need to understand that the more negative our reports are, the more the conflicts are exacerbated and we remain underdeveloped. But if the reports paint a harmonious picture, it helps ease tensions and minimises fear,” he noted.
The CEO revealed that efforts were underway to transform the hospital into a centre of excellence in terms of healthcare delivery, research and medical training.
He said aside from the renovation of the hospital, being undertaken by the government, there were measures to enhance quality of service through the acquisition of the requisite medical equipment.
“Another area we are seeking to improve is the attitude of our staff towards clients. We have had complaints about the poor attitudes of some of our staff and so we would institute more training programmes to polish them up,” he noted.
“What we have realised is that a single episode of dissatisfaction on the part of the client with regards to our services is communicated to others faster that the many times that the clients are satisfied, so we would do everything to avoid these pitfalls, he further assured.
Dr Sagoe identified stress as partly responsible for the unprofessional conduct of some of the staff, explaining that “if a single midwife has to attend to many deliveries, then you can expect that she would become weary and less responsive to clients’ needs.
“We have therefore embarked on a recruitment drive to boost our staff strength. We are hoping to increase the number of nurses to about 650 by the end of this year,” he revealed.
The CEO noted that the number of midwives would soon increase considerably when the first batch of trainees at the midwifery school graduate.
“We would do our best to retain a large number of them else it would be a fruitless venture to train them and allow them to leave to other facilities outside the region,” he mentioned.
The media personnel urged the hospital management to be committed to their pledge of improving upon service delivery otherwise, the media would continue to highlight these issues so far as they remain a concern to the public.
“As for us, we are the voice of the people and so we would try to balance this responsibility with that of helping the teaching hospital to grow through positive image building,” Mr Francis Npong, a correspondent of The Enquirer stated.
According to him, many health professionals get alarmed by reports of violence in the north and this discourages them from accepting to serve in the north due to the fear of being victims of violence.
“I have spoken to many professionals outside the region and each time they refuse to come to Tamale, the reason they give is that they have heard in the news that the people are fighting and yet this is not true,” he stated.
Dr Sagoe made these remarks when he addressed media personnel based in Tamale at a media interaction dinner organised by the hospital.
He said the media must avoid exaggerating reports about violent conflicts and tone down on the language used to communicate such issues.
“We need to understand that the more negative our reports are, the more the conflicts are exacerbated and we remain underdeveloped. But if the reports paint a harmonious picture, it helps ease tensions and minimises fear,” he noted.
The CEO revealed that efforts were underway to transform the hospital into a centre of excellence in terms of healthcare delivery, research and medical training.
He said aside from the renovation of the hospital, being undertaken by the government, there were measures to enhance quality of service through the acquisition of the requisite medical equipment.
“Another area we are seeking to improve is the attitude of our staff towards clients. We have had complaints about the poor attitudes of some of our staff and so we would institute more training programmes to polish them up,” he noted.
“What we have realised is that a single episode of dissatisfaction on the part of the client with regards to our services is communicated to others faster that the many times that the clients are satisfied, so we would do everything to avoid these pitfalls, he further assured.
Dr Sagoe identified stress as partly responsible for the unprofessional conduct of some of the staff, explaining that “if a single midwife has to attend to many deliveries, then you can expect that she would become weary and less responsive to clients’ needs.
“We have therefore embarked on a recruitment drive to boost our staff strength. We are hoping to increase the number of nurses to about 650 by the end of this year,” he revealed.
The CEO noted that the number of midwives would soon increase considerably when the first batch of trainees at the midwifery school graduate.
“We would do our best to retain a large number of them else it would be a fruitless venture to train them and allow them to leave to other facilities outside the region,” he mentioned.
The media personnel urged the hospital management to be committed to their pledge of improving upon service delivery otherwise, the media would continue to highlight these issues so far as they remain a concern to the public.
“As for us, we are the voice of the people and so we would try to balance this responsibility with that of helping the teaching hospital to grow through positive image building,” Mr Francis Npong, a correspondent of The Enquirer stated.
MEDIA URGED TO ENLIGHTEN PUBLIC ON ACTS - FOR TREATMENT OF MALARIA (PAGE 23, MARCH 2, 2011)
THE National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) has called on the media in Ghana to stand up and safeguard the effective supply and use of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) for Malaria control.
According to the NMCP, the media’s failure to do so could endanger the fight against Malaria since the factors that contribute to the development of resistance against a drug includes the introduction of imitated drugs and ineffective usage of the recommended drugs.
“The moment we allow fake ACTs to invade our markets, we are spelling doom for this country, because when people do not see any results from the usage of these drugs, they would raise their voices against these drugs,” Mr James Frimpong, a member of the NMCP stated.
“What we must know is that for now, we have no other redeemer to help us stem the tide of malaria infection except the ACTs. So, we must collectively safeguard these drugs in the interest of the nation,” he added.
Mr Frimpong made these comments when he made presentations on the malaria control programme in the country at a training workshop held in Tamale for print and broadcast journalists operating in the Northern Region.
The training, which was organised by the NMCP in collaboration with its partners, was directed towards building the capacity of journalists to lead the fight against malaria by supporting the effective dissemination of behavioural communication change messages.
One of the key roles expected of the media, as explained by Mr Frimpong, is to enlighten the public on the shift from mono-therapy to combination-based treatment.
“The media must let the public know that Chloroquine is know more the recommended treatment for Malaria and that a combination of drugs known as ACTs are now the recommended drugs for Malaria control,” he explained.
He said the shift from Chloroquine to the ACTs was influenced by the realisation that a resistance had been developed against the drug and that the current combination of drugs were the most effective to combat the malaria parasites.
Mr Frimpong said the media must, similarly, highlight the introduction of the affordable medicine facilities for the cure of Malaria.
“With this facility, the price for ACTs has been reduced considerably to enable every Ghanaian, irrespective of social status, to acquire it,” he stated.
The Northern Regional Focal Person on Malaria, Dr John Abenyeri also entreated the media to encourage pregnant women to visit the health facility to benefit from the intermittent preventive treatment.
“This treatment for malaria during pregnancy is based on the assumption that every pregnant woman living in areas of high malaria transmission is highly prone to the disease and thus need to be protected during that period,” he explained.
Dr Abenyiri also stressed the need for the media to encourage the general public to adapt to the usage of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), adding that having it is not enough.
The media practitioners expressed delight over the training programme, noting that they had been nourished with adequate information to enable them report from a more informed perspective.
“Indeed, we thought we knew much about Malaria, but this training has really exposed our weaknesses,” Mr Francis Npong of the Enquirer stated, adding that “we can now counter the negative perceptions about Malaria and save our people.”
According to the NMCP, the media’s failure to do so could endanger the fight against Malaria since the factors that contribute to the development of resistance against a drug includes the introduction of imitated drugs and ineffective usage of the recommended drugs.
“The moment we allow fake ACTs to invade our markets, we are spelling doom for this country, because when people do not see any results from the usage of these drugs, they would raise their voices against these drugs,” Mr James Frimpong, a member of the NMCP stated.
“What we must know is that for now, we have no other redeemer to help us stem the tide of malaria infection except the ACTs. So, we must collectively safeguard these drugs in the interest of the nation,” he added.
Mr Frimpong made these comments when he made presentations on the malaria control programme in the country at a training workshop held in Tamale for print and broadcast journalists operating in the Northern Region.
The training, which was organised by the NMCP in collaboration with its partners, was directed towards building the capacity of journalists to lead the fight against malaria by supporting the effective dissemination of behavioural communication change messages.
One of the key roles expected of the media, as explained by Mr Frimpong, is to enlighten the public on the shift from mono-therapy to combination-based treatment.
“The media must let the public know that Chloroquine is know more the recommended treatment for Malaria and that a combination of drugs known as ACTs are now the recommended drugs for Malaria control,” he explained.
He said the shift from Chloroquine to the ACTs was influenced by the realisation that a resistance had been developed against the drug and that the current combination of drugs were the most effective to combat the malaria parasites.
Mr Frimpong said the media must, similarly, highlight the introduction of the affordable medicine facilities for the cure of Malaria.
“With this facility, the price for ACTs has been reduced considerably to enable every Ghanaian, irrespective of social status, to acquire it,” he stated.
The Northern Regional Focal Person on Malaria, Dr John Abenyeri also entreated the media to encourage pregnant women to visit the health facility to benefit from the intermittent preventive treatment.
“This treatment for malaria during pregnancy is based on the assumption that every pregnant woman living in areas of high malaria transmission is highly prone to the disease and thus need to be protected during that period,” he explained.
Dr Abenyiri also stressed the need for the media to encourage the general public to adapt to the usage of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), adding that having it is not enough.
The media practitioners expressed delight over the training programme, noting that they had been nourished with adequate information to enable them report from a more informed perspective.
“Indeed, we thought we knew much about Malaria, but this training has really exposed our weaknesses,” Mr Francis Npong of the Enquirer stated, adding that “we can now counter the negative perceptions about Malaria and save our people.”
Monday, February 28, 2011
HARMONISE OPERATIONS OF PASTORALISTS (PAGE 19, FEB 26, 2011)
IT has now been established that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment does not prevent governments of member states from expelling immigrants from other West African countries whose actions are considered a threat to national security.
This follows complaints by some government officials in Ghana and other member countries that the government is unable to expel immigrant pastoralists whose actions pose a threat to peace and security due to the provisions of the ECOWAS protocol.
However, discussions at the two-day Consultative Meeting on Agriculture and Pastoralist Conflicts in West Africa revealed that under the protocol, member states reserve the right to expel these immigrants in accordance with due process.
As noted at the meeting, the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment, promulgated in Dakar, Senegal, on 29th of May, 1979, stipulates that each citizen of the Community has the right to enter, reside and establish in the territory of member states.
Nonetheless, the Supplementary Protocol on the Right of Residence stipulates that: “Migrant workers and members of their families whose status comply with the residence requirements may only be expelled from the host member state for reasons of national security, public order or morality.”
It further notes that any decision to expel a citizen under the Protocol must be well-founded legally or administratively in accordance with the laws of the member state and in alignment with the provisions of the protocol.
The consultative meeting, which ended yesterday in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, was organised by the West African Network for Peace-building (WANEP) with funding from the government of Finland.
Apart from Ghana and Burkina Faso, there were participants from Nigeria, Togo, Cote de’Ivoire, Mali, Niger and Benin.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting however called on member states not to yield to pressure from their people to expel pastoralists, mostly Fulani, from their countries.
Instead, the participants recommended that the governments give due recognition to pastoralism as a form of agriculture and consider ways of harmonising its operations in line with other forms of agriculture and in a manner as to avoid environmental hazards.
They suggested the establishment of entry points and grazing reserves or routes for transhumance to enable them undertake their activities without posing any dangers.
The participants stressed the need for governments in West Africa to institute alternative dispute resolution processes to resolve the emerging conflicts between nomadic pastoralists and their host communities, especially the farmers.
They noted that such processes, such as dialogue, must involve the key actors, including the pastoralists, sedentary farmers, chiefs and community folk at the grassroots, because these people had the solutions to their problems.
The communiqué again stressed the need for member states of ECOWAS to sensitise their people with respect to the need to discard ethnic sentiments against the Fulani.
This, they indicated, was very crucial because part of the problem why host communities were having conflicts with the Fulani was due to the cultural biases and prejudices borne against the Fulani people.
“The Fulani are killers. They are destructive and what not. When you have this in mind, then you cannot stay with the Fulani,” stated Dr Ly Boubacar from the School of Wisdom in Dori, Burkina Faso.
“Yes, they are dangerous. When you provoke them by killing their animals, they would attack you. But why would you want to provoke them instead of dialoguing with them. Every human being would react when he feels threatened,” he further noted.
This follows complaints by some government officials in Ghana and other member countries that the government is unable to expel immigrant pastoralists whose actions pose a threat to peace and security due to the provisions of the ECOWAS protocol.
However, discussions at the two-day Consultative Meeting on Agriculture and Pastoralist Conflicts in West Africa revealed that under the protocol, member states reserve the right to expel these immigrants in accordance with due process.
As noted at the meeting, the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment, promulgated in Dakar, Senegal, on 29th of May, 1979, stipulates that each citizen of the Community has the right to enter, reside and establish in the territory of member states.
Nonetheless, the Supplementary Protocol on the Right of Residence stipulates that: “Migrant workers and members of their families whose status comply with the residence requirements may only be expelled from the host member state for reasons of national security, public order or morality.”
It further notes that any decision to expel a citizen under the Protocol must be well-founded legally or administratively in accordance with the laws of the member state and in alignment with the provisions of the protocol.
The consultative meeting, which ended yesterday in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, was organised by the West African Network for Peace-building (WANEP) with funding from the government of Finland.
Apart from Ghana and Burkina Faso, there were participants from Nigeria, Togo, Cote de’Ivoire, Mali, Niger and Benin.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting however called on member states not to yield to pressure from their people to expel pastoralists, mostly Fulani, from their countries.
Instead, the participants recommended that the governments give due recognition to pastoralism as a form of agriculture and consider ways of harmonising its operations in line with other forms of agriculture and in a manner as to avoid environmental hazards.
They suggested the establishment of entry points and grazing reserves or routes for transhumance to enable them undertake their activities without posing any dangers.
The participants stressed the need for governments in West Africa to institute alternative dispute resolution processes to resolve the emerging conflicts between nomadic pastoralists and their host communities, especially the farmers.
They noted that such processes, such as dialogue, must involve the key actors, including the pastoralists, sedentary farmers, chiefs and community folk at the grassroots, because these people had the solutions to their problems.
The communiqué again stressed the need for member states of ECOWAS to sensitise their people with respect to the need to discard ethnic sentiments against the Fulani.
This, they indicated, was very crucial because part of the problem why host communities were having conflicts with the Fulani was due to the cultural biases and prejudices borne against the Fulani people.
“The Fulani are killers. They are destructive and what not. When you have this in mind, then you cannot stay with the Fulani,” stated Dr Ly Boubacar from the School of Wisdom in Dori, Burkina Faso.
“Yes, they are dangerous. When you provoke them by killing their animals, they would attack you. But why would you want to provoke them instead of dialoguing with them. Every human being would react when he feels threatened,” he further noted.
FULANI MENACE, ECOWAS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE (LEAD STORY, FEB 23, 2011)
SEVEN Member States of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), including Ghana, are to adopt a common resolution towards addressing the emerging conflicts between pastoralists, mostly Fulanis, and their host communities.
This follows the realisation that these conflicts have become an international phenomenon in the West African sub-region, particularly in countries where the Fulani herdsmen have found as a suitable destination for their activities.
The countries are namely: Ghana, Burkina Faso, Benin, Cote de’ Ivoire, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.
Representatives of these countries are currently meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso to strategise on a common mechanism to resolve these conflicts, which have been recognised as an emerging threat to peace and security in the sub-region.
The two-day Consultative Meeting on Agriculture and Pastoralist Conflicts in West Africa, which opened on Tuesday, is organised by the West African Network for Peace-building (WANEP) with funding from the government of Finland.
Participants comprise chiefs, agriculturalists, security and conflict resolution experts and political leaders.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, the Executive Director of WANEP, Mr Emmanuel Bombande said countries in the West African region cannot claim to be unperturbed about this menace due its threat to internal and external security.
“Not only have these conflicts between pastoralists and farmers become an in-country problem, but also a problem between countries,” he noted.
Mr Bombande mentioned that the conflicts between farmers and pastoralists had to do with access to natural resources, particularly land and water.
He said factors like population growth and climate change posed a great threat to agriculture and would thus deepen the conflict between pastoralists and farmers as they struggle to gain control over the earth and its resources.
Mr Bombande pointed out that it was high time Africa took a serious look at these conflicts because about 60 per cent of its people lived in rural areas and depended largely on agriculture.
“If agriculture fails, Africa would be plunged into crisis. Already, there is increasing rural-urban drift due to the declining interest of the youth in agriculture,” he cautioned.
The Chairperson of WANEP, Burkina Faso, Prof Albert Ouadraogo noted that this was the time for Africa to find a lasting and satisfactory solution to these conflicts, before allowing them to rise above control.
“Through dialogue, we should be able to chart a common agenda towards resolving these conflicts in a manner that would be satisfactory to both sides,” he stated.
It has been noted that the movement of pastoralists from the Sahel to the south of West Africa was largely precipitated by the increasing demand for fresh grazing grounds, as the Sahel had been hit by droughts.
Consequently, the Fulani herdsmen moved down south and were attracted to the area by the hospitality of the people and the availability of pasture.
However, they have run into troubles with the local people in recent years due to complaints that the cattle herded by the Fulani were destroying crops, whiles some of the herdsmen were allegedly involved in cattle rustling.
In Ghana, there have also been concerns about environmental degradation and criminal activities by some immigrant pastoralists.
This follows the realisation that these conflicts have become an international phenomenon in the West African sub-region, particularly in countries where the Fulani herdsmen have found as a suitable destination for their activities.
The countries are namely: Ghana, Burkina Faso, Benin, Cote de’ Ivoire, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.
Representatives of these countries are currently meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso to strategise on a common mechanism to resolve these conflicts, which have been recognised as an emerging threat to peace and security in the sub-region.
The two-day Consultative Meeting on Agriculture and Pastoralist Conflicts in West Africa, which opened on Tuesday, is organised by the West African Network for Peace-building (WANEP) with funding from the government of Finland.
Participants comprise chiefs, agriculturalists, security and conflict resolution experts and political leaders.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, the Executive Director of WANEP, Mr Emmanuel Bombande said countries in the West African region cannot claim to be unperturbed about this menace due its threat to internal and external security.
“Not only have these conflicts between pastoralists and farmers become an in-country problem, but also a problem between countries,” he noted.
Mr Bombande mentioned that the conflicts between farmers and pastoralists had to do with access to natural resources, particularly land and water.
He said factors like population growth and climate change posed a great threat to agriculture and would thus deepen the conflict between pastoralists and farmers as they struggle to gain control over the earth and its resources.
Mr Bombande pointed out that it was high time Africa took a serious look at these conflicts because about 60 per cent of its people lived in rural areas and depended largely on agriculture.
“If agriculture fails, Africa would be plunged into crisis. Already, there is increasing rural-urban drift due to the declining interest of the youth in agriculture,” he cautioned.
The Chairperson of WANEP, Burkina Faso, Prof Albert Ouadraogo noted that this was the time for Africa to find a lasting and satisfactory solution to these conflicts, before allowing them to rise above control.
“Through dialogue, we should be able to chart a common agenda towards resolving these conflicts in a manner that would be satisfactory to both sides,” he stated.
It has been noted that the movement of pastoralists from the Sahel to the south of West Africa was largely precipitated by the increasing demand for fresh grazing grounds, as the Sahel had been hit by droughts.
Consequently, the Fulani herdsmen moved down south and were attracted to the area by the hospitality of the people and the availability of pasture.
However, they have run into troubles with the local people in recent years due to complaints that the cattle herded by the Fulani were destroying crops, whiles some of the herdsmen were allegedly involved in cattle rustling.
In Ghana, there have also been concerns about environmental degradation and criminal activities by some immigrant pastoralists.
INTEMPERATE POLITICAL LANGUAGE, NO CEASEFIRE IN SIGHT (PAGE 12, FEB 19, 2011)
IN spite of calls on politicians to be measured in their language, a top politician in the country believes political rhetoric is rather heading towards the gutter.
Mr Boakye Agyarko, who is the Campaign Manager of the flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2012 general elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, told news reporters in Tamale that he does not see the possibility of an end to indecent political language.
He said he holds this opinion because the use of foul language by politicians is precipitated by the actions of opponents in the political contest, which are considered unpalatable.
He therefore concluded in Twi that: “Se gyae ye en gyae ye-a, gyae ka nsu en gyae ka,” which in English implies that: if those who act (wrongly) do not stop acting as such, those who talk (wrongly) would in similar vain not stop talking.
Mr Agyarko was answering questions from reporters at the sidelines of an inaugural rally by the Danquah Ladies Club, a sub-group in the NPP that is emerging with the goal of rallying women towards victory for Nana Addo in the 2012 elections.
Like some other commentators in the NPP had done, Mr Agyarko defended Nana Addo’s infamous “All die be die” comment, listing a litany of events which he considered as violent attacks on supporters of the NPP.
He stressed that the NPP was very prepared to go the limit with any other party if it was provoked, adding that “Life is what it is. If the fight is in the gutter, then that is where the fight is.”
Mr Agyarko described commentators who called for a ceasefire in the use of intemperate language by politicians as hypocrites.
“Where were they when Tony Aidoo christened the 17 presidential aspirants for our 2008 primaries as 17 thieves? I was one of the candidates,” he stated.
“How many times have Nana Addo not been insulted, and who came out to call for a ceasefire,” he added.
The NPP’s campaign manager also alleged that the government had engaged in certain illegalities that gave the impression that it was preparing its party supporters for violence during the electioneering.
He mentioned, for instance, the launch of a Heroes Fund by the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, which, in his estimation, was to cater for party foot-soldiers who will be injured during the campaign.
He also alleged the tapping of his telephone conversations, describing as an act of intimidation.
Mr Agyarko reiterated the NPP’s willingness to engage in free and fair elections because the party had confidence in its ability to wrestle the seat of government from the NDC in the 2012 elections, due its campaign message.
“Our message is simple. The NDC campaigned on several promises, but failed to meet these promises when it won power. So, the era of the NDC can simply be described as promises made, promises failed,” he remarked.
Mr Boakye Agyarko, who is the Campaign Manager of the flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2012 general elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, told news reporters in Tamale that he does not see the possibility of an end to indecent political language.
He said he holds this opinion because the use of foul language by politicians is precipitated by the actions of opponents in the political contest, which are considered unpalatable.
He therefore concluded in Twi that: “Se gyae ye en gyae ye-a, gyae ka nsu en gyae ka,” which in English implies that: if those who act (wrongly) do not stop acting as such, those who talk (wrongly) would in similar vain not stop talking.
Mr Agyarko was answering questions from reporters at the sidelines of an inaugural rally by the Danquah Ladies Club, a sub-group in the NPP that is emerging with the goal of rallying women towards victory for Nana Addo in the 2012 elections.
Like some other commentators in the NPP had done, Mr Agyarko defended Nana Addo’s infamous “All die be die” comment, listing a litany of events which he considered as violent attacks on supporters of the NPP.
He stressed that the NPP was very prepared to go the limit with any other party if it was provoked, adding that “Life is what it is. If the fight is in the gutter, then that is where the fight is.”
Mr Agyarko described commentators who called for a ceasefire in the use of intemperate language by politicians as hypocrites.
“Where were they when Tony Aidoo christened the 17 presidential aspirants for our 2008 primaries as 17 thieves? I was one of the candidates,” he stated.
“How many times have Nana Addo not been insulted, and who came out to call for a ceasefire,” he added.
The NPP’s campaign manager also alleged that the government had engaged in certain illegalities that gave the impression that it was preparing its party supporters for violence during the electioneering.
He mentioned, for instance, the launch of a Heroes Fund by the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, which, in his estimation, was to cater for party foot-soldiers who will be injured during the campaign.
He also alleged the tapping of his telephone conversations, describing as an act of intimidation.
Mr Agyarko reiterated the NPP’s willingness to engage in free and fair elections because the party had confidence in its ability to wrestle the seat of government from the NDC in the 2012 elections, due its campaign message.
“Our message is simple. The NDC campaigned on several promises, but failed to meet these promises when it won power. So, the era of the NDC can simply be described as promises made, promises failed,” he remarked.
NORTHERN CHIEFS READY TO COMBAT BUSH FIRES (BACK PAGE, FEB 16, 2011)
CHIEFS and traditional authorities in the Northern Region have expressed their disgust over the spate of bush fires in the region.
They have consequently resolved to partner the Ghana National Fire Service, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other institutions to curb this negative phenomenon, which has become a big challenge to sustainable agriculture and natural resource conservation.
The chiefs, from the nooks and cranny of the region, made this commitment at the end of a one-day workshop in Tamale organised by the EPA to map out strategies for the control of bush fires.
A member of the Council of State, Kpan-Naa Mohammed Bawa, who chaired the workshop, indicated that they as chiefs were the immediate source of leadership in their respective communities and would thus lead in bringing a stop to this canker.
He noted however that the assemblies and the government could contribute significantly to the reduction of bush fires if they enacted and implemented the appropriate national and local anti-fire laws.
“We know there are already anti-bush fire laws, but how well have these laws been implemented and updated to address modern challenges,” he added.
Kpan-Naa also reiterated the need for the government to institute alternative livelihood schemes for rural people, some of whom depended largely on hunting and firewood and charcoal production for a living.
He again called for incentives for traditional authorities who championed the establishment and protection of woodlots and forest reserves.
The Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr San Nasamu Asabigi said it was wrong for the chiefs to wait on central government to spearhead the control of bushfires.
“It is you (chiefs) who are recognised as the custodians of the land. Your people see you as the ones who command authority and so they are prepared to listen to you,” he stated.
“If you raise your voice against bush burning and make it a prohibition in your respective jurisdictions, none of your subjects would disobey you. So start the initiative and we as political leaders would see where we can compliment and strengthen your efforts,” he added.
The Northern Regional Director of the EPA, Mr Abu Iddrisu noted that the Ghana Environmental Management Project (GEMP) had provided the opportunity for the chiefs to salvage their lands from desertification.
“With this project, you can submit proposals suggesting effective mechanisms that you have adopted in your areas to halt bush burning and other negative practices that promote desertification and you would receive funding for implementation,” he explained.
The GEMP, which is a five-year Canadian-funded project, is one of the strategies that the government is using to achieve the targets of the National Action Programme (NAP) to Combat Desertification and Drought in Ghana, which was formulated in 2003 in furtherance of Ghana’s ratification of the United Nation’s Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Mr Iddrisu noted that the implementation of this project had moved from the formation of environmental management committees to actual execution of projects.
“Currently, the GEMP secretariat has received over 70 project proposals and would soon be perusing these projects to approve the viable ones,” he mentioned.
Various speakers at the project acknowledged the fact that bush burning was impacting negatively on the livelihoods of the people of the north by engineering the loss of vegetation, soil fertility and biodiversity, culminating in declining crop yields and erratic rainfall.
This year, many rice, mango and cowpea farms have been razed down leaving a lot of hardworking farmers feeling bitter and frustrated.
Already, there is evidence that chiefs in some parts of the Northern and Upper West regions have successfully implemented a non-burning policy in their areas for some years now.
They have consequently resolved to partner the Ghana National Fire Service, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other institutions to curb this negative phenomenon, which has become a big challenge to sustainable agriculture and natural resource conservation.
The chiefs, from the nooks and cranny of the region, made this commitment at the end of a one-day workshop in Tamale organised by the EPA to map out strategies for the control of bush fires.
A member of the Council of State, Kpan-Naa Mohammed Bawa, who chaired the workshop, indicated that they as chiefs were the immediate source of leadership in their respective communities and would thus lead in bringing a stop to this canker.
He noted however that the assemblies and the government could contribute significantly to the reduction of bush fires if they enacted and implemented the appropriate national and local anti-fire laws.
“We know there are already anti-bush fire laws, but how well have these laws been implemented and updated to address modern challenges,” he added.
Kpan-Naa also reiterated the need for the government to institute alternative livelihood schemes for rural people, some of whom depended largely on hunting and firewood and charcoal production for a living.
He again called for incentives for traditional authorities who championed the establishment and protection of woodlots and forest reserves.
The Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr San Nasamu Asabigi said it was wrong for the chiefs to wait on central government to spearhead the control of bushfires.
“It is you (chiefs) who are recognised as the custodians of the land. Your people see you as the ones who command authority and so they are prepared to listen to you,” he stated.
“If you raise your voice against bush burning and make it a prohibition in your respective jurisdictions, none of your subjects would disobey you. So start the initiative and we as political leaders would see where we can compliment and strengthen your efforts,” he added.
The Northern Regional Director of the EPA, Mr Abu Iddrisu noted that the Ghana Environmental Management Project (GEMP) had provided the opportunity for the chiefs to salvage their lands from desertification.
“With this project, you can submit proposals suggesting effective mechanisms that you have adopted in your areas to halt bush burning and other negative practices that promote desertification and you would receive funding for implementation,” he explained.
The GEMP, which is a five-year Canadian-funded project, is one of the strategies that the government is using to achieve the targets of the National Action Programme (NAP) to Combat Desertification and Drought in Ghana, which was formulated in 2003 in furtherance of Ghana’s ratification of the United Nation’s Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Mr Iddrisu noted that the implementation of this project had moved from the formation of environmental management committees to actual execution of projects.
“Currently, the GEMP secretariat has received over 70 project proposals and would soon be perusing these projects to approve the viable ones,” he mentioned.
Various speakers at the project acknowledged the fact that bush burning was impacting negatively on the livelihoods of the people of the north by engineering the loss of vegetation, soil fertility and biodiversity, culminating in declining crop yields and erratic rainfall.
This year, many rice, mango and cowpea farms have been razed down leaving a lot of hardworking farmers feeling bitter and frustrated.
Already, there is evidence that chiefs in some parts of the Northern and Upper West regions have successfully implemented a non-burning policy in their areas for some years now.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
DABOKPA TECHNICAL GETS CARPENTRY MACHINERY (PAGE 18, FEB 12, 2011)
THE carpentry department of the Dabokpa Technical Institute in Tamale has taken delivery of some machinery to assist in the teaching and execution of carpentry works at the institute.
The machines comprised a combined planer and thickness remover, which is used for smoothing wood surfaces to the desired thickness and beauty, a mortising machine, used for making mortise during construction of furniture and a bench saw, which is used for ripping and cross cutting of wood.
The equipment were presented to the institute by the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TaMA).
According to the Mayor of Tamale, Alhaji Haruna Abdulai Friday, the machines, in addition to other equipment, were supplied to the assembly by the World Bank under the second phase of the Urban Sanitation Project.
He said the assembly had decided to offer those equipment to the institute realising that it would be of benefit in the training of the students and the general operation of the carpentry department.
Mr Friday commended the students of the institute for choosing to pursue technical education, which he noted would build their capacity to choose between becoming self-employed or seeking employment with another entity.
The Principal of the institute, Mr Winstone Kwaku Dogbey said the machines would assist the carpentry workshop greatly by reducing the time and energy used in undertaking the various activities at the workshop.
“Instead of using manual equipment, which is time-consuming and energy sapping, we can now use these electric machines to do the work in a more efficient manner,” he explained, adding that furniture works could also be executed with more beauty with the help of the planer.
The principal later told the Daily Graphic in an interview that the training module of the institute had been enhanced following the introduction of the competence-based approach.
This approach, he explained ensures that the students undertake practical projects to demonstrate and perfect their skills, such as engaging in complete building and furniture construction.
Mr Dogbey said the notion that technical education did not enhance an individual’s capacity to get employment was wrong, and indicated that “many of our graduates are working with master craftsmen, whiles a few are working with industry in Accra.”
“Being employed does not mean getting a ‘white collar’ job,” he added.
The machines comprised a combined planer and thickness remover, which is used for smoothing wood surfaces to the desired thickness and beauty, a mortising machine, used for making mortise during construction of furniture and a bench saw, which is used for ripping and cross cutting of wood.
The equipment were presented to the institute by the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TaMA).
According to the Mayor of Tamale, Alhaji Haruna Abdulai Friday, the machines, in addition to other equipment, were supplied to the assembly by the World Bank under the second phase of the Urban Sanitation Project.
He said the assembly had decided to offer those equipment to the institute realising that it would be of benefit in the training of the students and the general operation of the carpentry department.
Mr Friday commended the students of the institute for choosing to pursue technical education, which he noted would build their capacity to choose between becoming self-employed or seeking employment with another entity.
The Principal of the institute, Mr Winstone Kwaku Dogbey said the machines would assist the carpentry workshop greatly by reducing the time and energy used in undertaking the various activities at the workshop.
“Instead of using manual equipment, which is time-consuming and energy sapping, we can now use these electric machines to do the work in a more efficient manner,” he explained, adding that furniture works could also be executed with more beauty with the help of the planer.
The principal later told the Daily Graphic in an interview that the training module of the institute had been enhanced following the introduction of the competence-based approach.
This approach, he explained ensures that the students undertake practical projects to demonstrate and perfect their skills, such as engaging in complete building and furniture construction.
Mr Dogbey said the notion that technical education did not enhance an individual’s capacity to get employment was wrong, and indicated that “many of our graduates are working with master craftsmen, whiles a few are working with industry in Accra.”
“Being employed does not mean getting a ‘white collar’ job,” he added.
GRAPHIC MUST CONSOLIDATE LEAD - MABENGBA (PAGE 22, FEB 10, 2011)
THE Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba has entreated the management of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) to remain steadfast in steering the company towards further growth.
According to him, the lead established by the company in the media industry was unmatched and, thus, needed to be consolidated to serve as a lesson for other players in the industry.
Mr Mabengba made these remarks when he held discussions with the Northern Zonal Manager of the GCGL, Mr Michael Kofi Baga at the Northern Regional Co-ordinating Council.
The talks focused on the operations of the GCGL, its contribution to the country’s democracy and its role in highlighting the development challenges facing the north.
Mr Mabengba noted that the rise of Graphic had brought some competition into the media industry as some of the media outlets were working towards expanding their operations to keep up with the competition.
He again observed that the success story of Graphic was a general indication of the capability of Ghanaian companies to succeed in spite of the odds.
The minister also commented on the work of the writing staff of the Graphic, particularly those who served in the three northern regions.
“Your reporters have tried to report the truth at all times and they have also tried to avoid sensationalism and exaggeration of conflicts,” he noted.
The minister however entreated the management of the GCGL to work towards ensuring the early delivery of its papers to Wa, Tamale and Bolga in the three regions of the north.
He said the situation where the Daily Graphic and other papers published by the GCGL got to these three towns in the afternoon or later was inappropriate.
Mr Mabengba said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government would continue to expand the frontiers of media freedom by promoting the independence of the media.
“We also expect that the operators would enjoy this constitutional freedom in a responsible manner,” he added.
Mr Baga pledged to convey the thoughts of the minister to the management and assured that the delay in the delivery of papers to the three northern regions would be addressed in due time.
He mentioned the new press project being developed by the GCGL, which he noted would enable the company enhance the quality of printing.
According to him, the lead established by the company in the media industry was unmatched and, thus, needed to be consolidated to serve as a lesson for other players in the industry.
Mr Mabengba made these remarks when he held discussions with the Northern Zonal Manager of the GCGL, Mr Michael Kofi Baga at the Northern Regional Co-ordinating Council.
The talks focused on the operations of the GCGL, its contribution to the country’s democracy and its role in highlighting the development challenges facing the north.
Mr Mabengba noted that the rise of Graphic had brought some competition into the media industry as some of the media outlets were working towards expanding their operations to keep up with the competition.
He again observed that the success story of Graphic was a general indication of the capability of Ghanaian companies to succeed in spite of the odds.
The minister also commented on the work of the writing staff of the Graphic, particularly those who served in the three northern regions.
“Your reporters have tried to report the truth at all times and they have also tried to avoid sensationalism and exaggeration of conflicts,” he noted.
The minister however entreated the management of the GCGL to work towards ensuring the early delivery of its papers to Wa, Tamale and Bolga in the three regions of the north.
He said the situation where the Daily Graphic and other papers published by the GCGL got to these three towns in the afternoon or later was inappropriate.
Mr Mabengba said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government would continue to expand the frontiers of media freedom by promoting the independence of the media.
“We also expect that the operators would enjoy this constitutional freedom in a responsible manner,” he added.
Mr Baga pledged to convey the thoughts of the minister to the management and assured that the delay in the delivery of papers to the three northern regions would be addressed in due time.
He mentioned the new press project being developed by the GCGL, which he noted would enable the company enhance the quality of printing.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
PLASTIC WASTE RECYCLING PROJECT YIELDS RESULTS (PAGE 11, FEB 8, 2011)
IT was about five minutes to 10:00am and I was driving to the workshop of Ellen Seldenthuis, a Dutch woman who has set up a workshop in Tamale to engage people in recycling plastic waste into usable items.
As I drove through the alley leading to her workshop, I could not see even a single sachet water bag on the floor, which is unusual of Ghanaian cities like Tamale.
I said to myself that if only one day Tamale and indeed, all cities in Ghana could be like this, how beautiful they would be.
I got to the shop at exactly 10:10am and, as usual, the workshop was buzzing with activity: sowing, sorting, arranging, etc.
“Dasiba,” I greeted, which means Good morning in Dagbani. “N-naa,” Ellen and her team of staff responded.
I was welcomed and given a bench to sit whiles Ellen, who prefers to be called Ibrahim Salimatu, made arrangements to join me for an interview, which we had discussed about the first time I visited.
She was looking very Ghanaian as she wore a nicely-designed African fabric, which the rest of the staffs were also wearing.
“This is our uniform,” she told me. “We wear it on special occasions,” she added.
When the interview started, I asked Salimatu what she was doing in Tamale.
“Well, I have been in Ghana for the past seven years. I worked in Nkoranza where I helped people recovering from mental illness to acquire vocational skills and then I went to the children’s home to help in the upkeep of the children.
“I decided to come to Tamale because I had heard a lot about Tamale and I thought it was about time I came to take up a new challenge in this lovely city,” she stated.
According to her, she loves to introduce or help develop something worthwhile and leave it for others to continue. “So I make myself jobless and look for a new challenge,” she remarked.
Salimatu mentioned that the idea of setting up a workshop to recycle plastic waste into usable items was an afterthought.
Initially, she decided to start a project to coach children on how to keep their surroundings clean and more particularly free of sachet water bags.
“Somewhere along the way, I thought it would rather be more effective to find a way to recycle the sachet water bags so that when we start the education, the children would know what to do with the bags,” she explained.
“So with the help of some donors in Holland, I was able to set up the workshop and I employed only three people to help me,” she mentioned.
That was in August, 2010, she told me. Today, Salimatu’s workshop, which is housed in a metal container and situated at Dagbondab-ba Fong a prominent suburb of Tamale, has made tremendous progress.
The staff strength has risen from three to thirteen (13). The workshop recycles plastic waste, such as sachet water bags and ice cream packs, into school bags, market bags, handbags, purses, shoe rags, caps and raincoats, among others.
Salimatu runs her plastic waste recycling workshop under her non-governmental organisation, known as Tuma Viela (Work is good), and she gives a daily allowance to her employees.
The main focus of the project, according to her, is to clean up the streets of Tamale, educate school children on how to take better care of their environment and to put smiles on many children’s faces by rewarding them with a school bag for helping to make Tamale a better and cleaner place to live.
It is interesting to note that Salimatu charges nothing for the items her workshop produces. All one has to do is to bring the right quantity and choice of plastic waste and demand for a product.
According to Salimatu, one needs to bring at least 250 bags for the making of a school bag, small shopping bag or handbag. Items like raincoats and clothing bags require up to 500 bags, whiles 50 bags are required to produce a purse and other small items.
As she elaborated on this point, young Mubarak walked in with 500 sachet water bags stuffed into a school bag and asked that a clothing bag, nicknamed ‘Ghana must go’ or ‘Alabusa’ in Dagbani, be made for his mother.
The recycling process at Salimatu’s workshop goes through several stages. The process starts with the assembling of the bags, followed by the cut-opening and washing of each bag.
The bags are dried and later sown together to form a long strip of material, before being used to sow a design.
Salimatu indicated that it takes a whole day to form 12 yards of the plastic waste material and it involves about nine people. This, she explained, shows how labour-intensive and time consuming it is to engage in the process of recycling plastic waste.
She concludes therefore that pricing the items would make them unaffordable because the amount would take into consideration all the factors that go into production.
Indeed, there are several angles to Salimatu’s initiative, which need to be appreciated on their merits. First of all, the recycling of waste materials is an important step towards environmental sustainability and sanitation.
According to environment experts, plastic waste materials are classified as non-biodegradable materials and they can stay in the soil for as long as 100 years and over.
Non-biodegradable materials impact negatively on the environment because they damage living things, reduce soil fertility and destroy the landscape.
Managing plastic waste has been a big challenge to the country and experts are still exploring ways of starting an effective recycling industry in Ghana.
Although re-using plastic waste is not the long-term effective solution, it is a temporal solution to the menace of plastic waste. In just about five months when the project commenced, over 500,000 water sachet bags had been gathered by a total of 2051 children in Tamale, Salimatu revealed.
A second angle to Salimatu’s initiative is the job creation aspect of her work. As noted earlier, Salimatu has employed 13 workers, 11 women and two men. The question is what would these workers have been doing if they were not employed by Salimatu? Would they be on the streets begging? Would they join others to commit robbery? These were some of the questions I posed to some of them.
“I really don’t know what I would have been doing by now,” 30-year old mother of two, Amina Aminu told me.
She said since she joined the workshop as a trainee, she has been able to make some few cedis to cater for the needs of her two children, one of whom lost the daddy some few years back.
Amina, who was almost about to shed tears, described Salimatu as her “everything,” adding that without Salimatu, she would have been in serious predicament.
I asked her how she got into the workshop and she explained that she was passing by the workshop one morning when she saw an acquaintance who was working in the shop.
“I expressed interest and she asked me to speak to the white lady. I spoke to her and initially, she resisted, but realising that I was pregnant and desperate for employment, she accepted me into her workshop,” she narrated.
Another employee, Adam Latif, 25, who is one of the two males working at the workshop, told me that he joined the workshop about a year ago through the support of a friend of his.
“My friend leaves in the house adjacent to the workshop and I complained to him that I was not making headway in my work,” he said.
According to Latif, he trained as a tailor and a furniture maker, but was finding things difficult because his family could not support him.
“This work is good for me because I am able to get some money to cater for my needs,” he stated.
What would be the fate of these employees when this project folds up?
The third angle to the recycling project is the positive socialisation and education aspect. Salimatu’s project is training children in Tamale to be environmentally friendly in a unique manner. They get rewarded for ridding their surroundings of plastic waste.
In spite of the good work she and her group are rendering, it appears the political and institutional leadership in Ghana and Tamale in particular have shown very little interest in the project.
I asked Salimatu if any political or institutional head had offered to support the project and she answered in the negative, although she indicated that she had met with the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of Tamale, Alhaji Abdulai Haruna Friday, who commended her for the initiative.
When contacted, the MCE confirmed having been introduced to the project and added that he had asked Salimatu to return to his office for subsequent discussions.
What remains unknown is when this project would fold up, because as Ellen mentioned earlier, she is operating the workshop with donor funding, which is not sustainable.
“I hope the people and leaders of Tamale would champion this idea when I leave,” she told me, as our 40-minute-long interview came to an end.
As I drove through the alley leading to her workshop, I could not see even a single sachet water bag on the floor, which is unusual of Ghanaian cities like Tamale.
I said to myself that if only one day Tamale and indeed, all cities in Ghana could be like this, how beautiful they would be.
I got to the shop at exactly 10:10am and, as usual, the workshop was buzzing with activity: sowing, sorting, arranging, etc.
“Dasiba,” I greeted, which means Good morning in Dagbani. “N-naa,” Ellen and her team of staff responded.
I was welcomed and given a bench to sit whiles Ellen, who prefers to be called Ibrahim Salimatu, made arrangements to join me for an interview, which we had discussed about the first time I visited.
She was looking very Ghanaian as she wore a nicely-designed African fabric, which the rest of the staffs were also wearing.
“This is our uniform,” she told me. “We wear it on special occasions,” she added.
When the interview started, I asked Salimatu what she was doing in Tamale.
“Well, I have been in Ghana for the past seven years. I worked in Nkoranza where I helped people recovering from mental illness to acquire vocational skills and then I went to the children’s home to help in the upkeep of the children.
“I decided to come to Tamale because I had heard a lot about Tamale and I thought it was about time I came to take up a new challenge in this lovely city,” she stated.
According to her, she loves to introduce or help develop something worthwhile and leave it for others to continue. “So I make myself jobless and look for a new challenge,” she remarked.
Salimatu mentioned that the idea of setting up a workshop to recycle plastic waste into usable items was an afterthought.
Initially, she decided to start a project to coach children on how to keep their surroundings clean and more particularly free of sachet water bags.
“Somewhere along the way, I thought it would rather be more effective to find a way to recycle the sachet water bags so that when we start the education, the children would know what to do with the bags,” she explained.
“So with the help of some donors in Holland, I was able to set up the workshop and I employed only three people to help me,” she mentioned.
That was in August, 2010, she told me. Today, Salimatu’s workshop, which is housed in a metal container and situated at Dagbondab-ba Fong a prominent suburb of Tamale, has made tremendous progress.
The staff strength has risen from three to thirteen (13). The workshop recycles plastic waste, such as sachet water bags and ice cream packs, into school bags, market bags, handbags, purses, shoe rags, caps and raincoats, among others.
Salimatu runs her plastic waste recycling workshop under her non-governmental organisation, known as Tuma Viela (Work is good), and she gives a daily allowance to her employees.
The main focus of the project, according to her, is to clean up the streets of Tamale, educate school children on how to take better care of their environment and to put smiles on many children’s faces by rewarding them with a school bag for helping to make Tamale a better and cleaner place to live.
It is interesting to note that Salimatu charges nothing for the items her workshop produces. All one has to do is to bring the right quantity and choice of plastic waste and demand for a product.
According to Salimatu, one needs to bring at least 250 bags for the making of a school bag, small shopping bag or handbag. Items like raincoats and clothing bags require up to 500 bags, whiles 50 bags are required to produce a purse and other small items.
As she elaborated on this point, young Mubarak walked in with 500 sachet water bags stuffed into a school bag and asked that a clothing bag, nicknamed ‘Ghana must go’ or ‘Alabusa’ in Dagbani, be made for his mother.
The recycling process at Salimatu’s workshop goes through several stages. The process starts with the assembling of the bags, followed by the cut-opening and washing of each bag.
The bags are dried and later sown together to form a long strip of material, before being used to sow a design.
Salimatu indicated that it takes a whole day to form 12 yards of the plastic waste material and it involves about nine people. This, she explained, shows how labour-intensive and time consuming it is to engage in the process of recycling plastic waste.
She concludes therefore that pricing the items would make them unaffordable because the amount would take into consideration all the factors that go into production.
Indeed, there are several angles to Salimatu’s initiative, which need to be appreciated on their merits. First of all, the recycling of waste materials is an important step towards environmental sustainability and sanitation.
According to environment experts, plastic waste materials are classified as non-biodegradable materials and they can stay in the soil for as long as 100 years and over.
Non-biodegradable materials impact negatively on the environment because they damage living things, reduce soil fertility and destroy the landscape.
Managing plastic waste has been a big challenge to the country and experts are still exploring ways of starting an effective recycling industry in Ghana.
Although re-using plastic waste is not the long-term effective solution, it is a temporal solution to the menace of plastic waste. In just about five months when the project commenced, over 500,000 water sachet bags had been gathered by a total of 2051 children in Tamale, Salimatu revealed.
A second angle to Salimatu’s initiative is the job creation aspect of her work. As noted earlier, Salimatu has employed 13 workers, 11 women and two men. The question is what would these workers have been doing if they were not employed by Salimatu? Would they be on the streets begging? Would they join others to commit robbery? These were some of the questions I posed to some of them.
“I really don’t know what I would have been doing by now,” 30-year old mother of two, Amina Aminu told me.
She said since she joined the workshop as a trainee, she has been able to make some few cedis to cater for the needs of her two children, one of whom lost the daddy some few years back.
Amina, who was almost about to shed tears, described Salimatu as her “everything,” adding that without Salimatu, she would have been in serious predicament.
I asked her how she got into the workshop and she explained that she was passing by the workshop one morning when she saw an acquaintance who was working in the shop.
“I expressed interest and she asked me to speak to the white lady. I spoke to her and initially, she resisted, but realising that I was pregnant and desperate for employment, she accepted me into her workshop,” she narrated.
Another employee, Adam Latif, 25, who is one of the two males working at the workshop, told me that he joined the workshop about a year ago through the support of a friend of his.
“My friend leaves in the house adjacent to the workshop and I complained to him that I was not making headway in my work,” he said.
According to Latif, he trained as a tailor and a furniture maker, but was finding things difficult because his family could not support him.
“This work is good for me because I am able to get some money to cater for my needs,” he stated.
What would be the fate of these employees when this project folds up?
The third angle to the recycling project is the positive socialisation and education aspect. Salimatu’s project is training children in Tamale to be environmentally friendly in a unique manner. They get rewarded for ridding their surroundings of plastic waste.
In spite of the good work she and her group are rendering, it appears the political and institutional leadership in Ghana and Tamale in particular have shown very little interest in the project.
I asked Salimatu if any political or institutional head had offered to support the project and she answered in the negative, although she indicated that she had met with the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of Tamale, Alhaji Abdulai Haruna Friday, who commended her for the initiative.
When contacted, the MCE confirmed having been introduced to the project and added that he had asked Salimatu to return to his office for subsequent discussions.
What remains unknown is when this project would fold up, because as Ellen mentioned earlier, she is operating the workshop with donor funding, which is not sustainable.
“I hope the people and leaders of Tamale would champion this idea when I leave,” she told me, as our 40-minute-long interview came to an end.
Monday, February 7, 2011
DON'T CONCEAL CASES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (PAGE 11, FEB 5, 2011)
THE Northern Regional Population Officer, Chief Issahaku Amadu Alhassan has cautioned opinion leaders and family heads in the region against interference in the handling of cases involving domestic violence.
According to him, helping to conceal cases of domestic abuse amounted to promoting crime and also emboldens the abusers to repeat such acts with impunity.
Chief Alhassan gave the warning when he addressed a male-dominated forum organised by the Department of Women to discuss ways of reducing gender-based violence in the region.
Mr Alhassan noted that persons who interfered in cases of domestic abuse were helping to promote such illegal acts instead of helping to curb it.
“If you prevent a case from being reported to the appropriate institution for redress, then you are telling the abusers that each time they act that way, you would intervene to keep them away from prosecution,” he stated.
Chief Alhassan also encouraged the men to adopt practices that would help prevent the occurrence of domestic violence, such as family planning, spousal communication and joint decision making.
He explained that family planning was one way to help decrease the incidence of domestic violence because it enabled men to have a sizeable family which they can manage.
He said when men fail to plan their families, they end up giving birth to many children and therefore are unable to cater for the needs of all of them because their incomes are too meagre to meet such needs.
“This leads to child neglect and non-maintenance, which are all forms of domestic violence,” Chief Alhassan noted.
He again mentioned that marrying many wives when one did not have the financial muscle to cater for all of them was a sure way to becoming an irresponsible husband.
The population officer also urged men in the region to respect the political and decision-making rights of their wives.
He said women had the right to join political parties of their choice and participate in governance to enable them contribute positively to the development of their communities.
The participants expressed regret that men had been tugged as abusers because many cases of domestic abuse reported had men as the abusers, whiles women and children were the victims.
They noted that some of the women were the cause of such acts meted on them because they were irresponsible in their speech and actions.
The participants however admitted that irrespective of the actions of their wives, they had no right under the law to abuse their wives and were rather supposed to seek redress when they felt abused by their wives.
Some of them also observed that the cultural environment they found themselves in made it difficult for them to report to the police when they are abused by their wives.
They explained that women were perceived to be the weaker sex and so society was fast to brand men who were abused by their wives as weak and not fit to be man.
“And no man would like to be seen as a weak man, so he is compelled to try to discipline the wife, thereby leading to domestic abuse,” one of the participants stated.
According to him, helping to conceal cases of domestic abuse amounted to promoting crime and also emboldens the abusers to repeat such acts with impunity.
Chief Alhassan gave the warning when he addressed a male-dominated forum organised by the Department of Women to discuss ways of reducing gender-based violence in the region.
Mr Alhassan noted that persons who interfered in cases of domestic abuse were helping to promote such illegal acts instead of helping to curb it.
“If you prevent a case from being reported to the appropriate institution for redress, then you are telling the abusers that each time they act that way, you would intervene to keep them away from prosecution,” he stated.
Chief Alhassan also encouraged the men to adopt practices that would help prevent the occurrence of domestic violence, such as family planning, spousal communication and joint decision making.
He explained that family planning was one way to help decrease the incidence of domestic violence because it enabled men to have a sizeable family which they can manage.
He said when men fail to plan their families, they end up giving birth to many children and therefore are unable to cater for the needs of all of them because their incomes are too meagre to meet such needs.
“This leads to child neglect and non-maintenance, which are all forms of domestic violence,” Chief Alhassan noted.
He again mentioned that marrying many wives when one did not have the financial muscle to cater for all of them was a sure way to becoming an irresponsible husband.
The population officer also urged men in the region to respect the political and decision-making rights of their wives.
He said women had the right to join political parties of their choice and participate in governance to enable them contribute positively to the development of their communities.
The participants expressed regret that men had been tugged as abusers because many cases of domestic abuse reported had men as the abusers, whiles women and children were the victims.
They noted that some of the women were the cause of such acts meted on them because they were irresponsible in their speech and actions.
The participants however admitted that irrespective of the actions of their wives, they had no right under the law to abuse their wives and were rather supposed to seek redress when they felt abused by their wives.
Some of them also observed that the cultural environment they found themselves in made it difficult for them to report to the police when they are abused by their wives.
They explained that women were perceived to be the weaker sex and so society was fast to brand men who were abused by their wives as weak and not fit to be man.
“And no man would like to be seen as a weak man, so he is compelled to try to discipline the wife, thereby leading to domestic abuse,” one of the participants stated.
12 COMPANIES GRANTED IRON MINING RIGHTS (BACK PAGE, FEB 4, 2011)
A BATTLE for Ghana’s iron ore is gradually hitting up as 12 companies are fronting for the licences to begin the mining of the iron ore deposits located in Sheini in the Zabzugu/Tatale district of the Northern Region.
According to the Minerals Commission, the 12 companies were given due diligence permits and this allows each one of them to search for the mineral within the area by geo-chemical and photo-geological surveys or other remote sensing techniques within a specified period of time.
Six of the companies received their licences in 2008 and they are Gold Coast Resources Limited, Marula Mines Ghana Limited, Integrated Metals Limited, Azumah Metals Ghana Limited, Inland Ghana Mines Limited and Minergy Resources Limited.
The other companies that were given the permits in 2010 are Pan African Minerals Company Limited, RSP International Ghana Limited, Compass Resources Limited, Emmaland Resources Limited, Wesun-Lu Ghana Mining Limited and Trans Global Drilling, Energy Exploration Limited.
Already, one of the companies fronting for the licence, Emmaland Resources Limited and its Canadian partners, Cardero Resources, have undertaken some projects in the district to demonstrate their readiness to help develop the town when given the licence.
The two companies are renovating the Presidential Lodge of the district assembly and also rehabilitating the road from Zabzugu to Sheini, which is about 13 miles.
A visit to the site also revealed that the two companies were on the rocky-hills of Sheini gathering geo-chemical information on the iron ore deposits in the area.
The Senior Geologist on the site, Dr Karel Maly said the workers had dug about 50 trenches on the site to enable them extract the samples, which would be tested in due course.
Iron ores are rocks and minerals from which metallic iron can be extracted. It is therefore the predominant source of raw materials for the production of steel.
Information available on the Mining Portal of Ghana indicates that there are three main iron ore deposits in Ghana, which are yet to be exploited and they are Shieni, Oppong Mansi and Pudo.
It notes that recent discoveries of iron ore deposits have also been made at Adum Banso in the Western Region, which is yet to be fully evaluated.
If the iron ore mining operation kick-starts in Sheini, the Zabzugu area would see tremendous transformation since the project would come along with other major infrastructural developments, such as the construction of roads and railway lines.
There is also avenue for employment creation as thousands of people would be employed to work in the mines and other allied businesses.
In an interview, the District Chief Executive for Zabzugu-Tatale, Mr Umar Abdul-Wahab noted that the district was hoping that the licence would be given to any of the companies that had shown the capacity to operate the Sheini mines.
“What we are interested in is a company that has both technical and financial wherewithal to operate the mines and at the same time, be socially and environmentally friendly,” he stated.
According to the Minerals Commission, the 12 companies were given due diligence permits and this allows each one of them to search for the mineral within the area by geo-chemical and photo-geological surveys or other remote sensing techniques within a specified period of time.
Six of the companies received their licences in 2008 and they are Gold Coast Resources Limited, Marula Mines Ghana Limited, Integrated Metals Limited, Azumah Metals Ghana Limited, Inland Ghana Mines Limited and Minergy Resources Limited.
The other companies that were given the permits in 2010 are Pan African Minerals Company Limited, RSP International Ghana Limited, Compass Resources Limited, Emmaland Resources Limited, Wesun-Lu Ghana Mining Limited and Trans Global Drilling, Energy Exploration Limited.
Already, one of the companies fronting for the licence, Emmaland Resources Limited and its Canadian partners, Cardero Resources, have undertaken some projects in the district to demonstrate their readiness to help develop the town when given the licence.
The two companies are renovating the Presidential Lodge of the district assembly and also rehabilitating the road from Zabzugu to Sheini, which is about 13 miles.
A visit to the site also revealed that the two companies were on the rocky-hills of Sheini gathering geo-chemical information on the iron ore deposits in the area.
The Senior Geologist on the site, Dr Karel Maly said the workers had dug about 50 trenches on the site to enable them extract the samples, which would be tested in due course.
Iron ores are rocks and minerals from which metallic iron can be extracted. It is therefore the predominant source of raw materials for the production of steel.
Information available on the Mining Portal of Ghana indicates that there are three main iron ore deposits in Ghana, which are yet to be exploited and they are Shieni, Oppong Mansi and Pudo.
It notes that recent discoveries of iron ore deposits have also been made at Adum Banso in the Western Region, which is yet to be fully evaluated.
If the iron ore mining operation kick-starts in Sheini, the Zabzugu area would see tremendous transformation since the project would come along with other major infrastructural developments, such as the construction of roads and railway lines.
There is also avenue for employment creation as thousands of people would be employed to work in the mines and other allied businesses.
In an interview, the District Chief Executive for Zabzugu-Tatale, Mr Umar Abdul-Wahab noted that the district was hoping that the licence would be given to any of the companies that had shown the capacity to operate the Sheini mines.
“What we are interested in is a company that has both technical and financial wherewithal to operate the mines and at the same time, be socially and environmentally friendly,” he stated.
EXPERTS MEET IN TAMALE TO IMPROVE AGRIC LINKAGES (PAGE 18, FEB 4, 2011)
IT is an undeniable fact that agricultural is the backbone of the nation’s economy. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, agriculture contributed 34.1 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2009.
More than 50 per cent of the country’s labour force was also estimated to be in the agricultural sector, as indicated by the 2000 Population and Housing Census.
In spite of this, many farmers in Ghana remain poor and, generally, agriculture appears to be unattractive to many people.
One of the reasons identified as contributing to this poverty among farmers is the absence of a functioning value chain system, which guarantees them of a ready market for their produce.
In their publication – “A Handbook for Value Chain Research” (2000) – Raphael Kaplinsky and Mike Morris, describe value chains as “the full range of activities which are required to bring a product or service from conception, through the different phases of production to delivery to the final consumer and final disposal after use.”
Thus, from the input dealer to the farmer, the middleman (if any), the marketer, the buyer and the consumer, there must be some form of understanding between the actors and networking that facilitates the entire process.
At every stage, premium is placed on value-addition and market demand for the product. The absence of these linkages has therefore been identified as the bane of Ghana’s agriculture. Farmers produce anything and look for buyers, marketers struggle to get the right varieties and industry is starved of the needed raw materials.
It is to reverse this trend, that in 2009, the Northern Rural Growth Programme (NRGP) introduced a unique forum – known as the Value Chain Practitioners Forum – for actors in the agric sector to meet and discuss ways of operating a well-linked and effective commodity value chains system in Ghana.
The second edition of this forum took place in Tamale at the GILBT confab hall over the weekend and was attended by a wide array of practitioners, including district directors of agric, consultants, farmers, representatives of non-governmental organisations, credit institutions and input dealers.
It was held on the theme: “Professionalizing value-chain practice in Ghana” and the participants discussed ways of putting in place an institutional arrangement, such as an association, to facilitate the smooth operation of the value-chains in Ghana.
Speakers at the forum argued that such an arrangement would improve collaboration among the actors in the chain, ensure that each actor complements the efforts of the other and enable the replication of best practices.
Other speakers raised issues with the funding of the association, its operation and membership arrangement.
To streamline all these issues, the participants constituted a 19-member core working group with the mandate of identifying the modalities of establishing such a body.
“This working group would meet from time to time and access the progress of institutionalising the value-chains system in the country,” the NRGP’s value chains specialists, Mr Pascal Dere told the press.
He said for now, the group would be hosted by the NRGP whiles efforts are made to establish a more sustainable and independent institutional arrangement.
The National Co-ordinator of the NRGP, Mr Roy Ayariga told the Daily Graphic in an interview that the forum was necessary because it sought to bring together all the actors onto a common platform to share ideas on the concept of commodity value-chains and to strategise on the way forward.
He noted that agric commodity value chains, though relatively new in Ghana, was the best approach to promoting agri-business and increasing rural incomes.
“Hither to, we were focusing on only production, whiles relegating value addition and marketing, but production becomes a waste if there is no available market and fair prices for the goods,” he mentioned.
“With the commodity value chains, all actors in the value chains act in unison and with certainty. Whiles input dealers and financial institutions support the farmer to produce the crop variety and quality that is in demand, the marketers and buyers remain assured of getting their desired produce,” he added.
Mr Ayariga stated that promoting commodity value chains in Ghana would certainly be the way to improve the incomes of smallholder farmers because it would move them beyond subsistence and guarantee them of a ready market and fair prices for their produce.
He said the NRGP was championing the adoption of the commodity value chains in Ghana because it believes strongly in partnership as being the key way to enhancing agric in the country.
Aside the formation of the association, the participants also brainstormed on innovative ways of value chain financing and marketing of agricultural produce and manufactured products.
“We have introduced a system, where we design an electronic data-base of various participants in the value-chain and the linkage activities among the various players is anchored through mobile telephony,” the Country Representative of the International Centre for Soil Fertility (IFDC), Dr Kofi Debrah stated in an interview.
“Many of our partners, including the farmers, have cell phones and therefore can transform these phones into business tools, rather than for social communication,” he further stated.
Mr Debrah mentioned the ‘mFarms’ platform, which he described as an information exchange tool, a decision support tool and a planning, production and marketing tool.
With the enthusiasm with which the NRGP is engineering the process, it is hoped that an effective commodity value chains system would soon be borne out of these deliberations.
More than 50 per cent of the country’s labour force was also estimated to be in the agricultural sector, as indicated by the 2000 Population and Housing Census.
In spite of this, many farmers in Ghana remain poor and, generally, agriculture appears to be unattractive to many people.
One of the reasons identified as contributing to this poverty among farmers is the absence of a functioning value chain system, which guarantees them of a ready market for their produce.
In their publication – “A Handbook for Value Chain Research” (2000) – Raphael Kaplinsky and Mike Morris, describe value chains as “the full range of activities which are required to bring a product or service from conception, through the different phases of production to delivery to the final consumer and final disposal after use.”
Thus, from the input dealer to the farmer, the middleman (if any), the marketer, the buyer and the consumer, there must be some form of understanding between the actors and networking that facilitates the entire process.
At every stage, premium is placed on value-addition and market demand for the product. The absence of these linkages has therefore been identified as the bane of Ghana’s agriculture. Farmers produce anything and look for buyers, marketers struggle to get the right varieties and industry is starved of the needed raw materials.
It is to reverse this trend, that in 2009, the Northern Rural Growth Programme (NRGP) introduced a unique forum – known as the Value Chain Practitioners Forum – for actors in the agric sector to meet and discuss ways of operating a well-linked and effective commodity value chains system in Ghana.
The second edition of this forum took place in Tamale at the GILBT confab hall over the weekend and was attended by a wide array of practitioners, including district directors of agric, consultants, farmers, representatives of non-governmental organisations, credit institutions and input dealers.
It was held on the theme: “Professionalizing value-chain practice in Ghana” and the participants discussed ways of putting in place an institutional arrangement, such as an association, to facilitate the smooth operation of the value-chains in Ghana.
Speakers at the forum argued that such an arrangement would improve collaboration among the actors in the chain, ensure that each actor complements the efforts of the other and enable the replication of best practices.
Other speakers raised issues with the funding of the association, its operation and membership arrangement.
To streamline all these issues, the participants constituted a 19-member core working group with the mandate of identifying the modalities of establishing such a body.
“This working group would meet from time to time and access the progress of institutionalising the value-chains system in the country,” the NRGP’s value chains specialists, Mr Pascal Dere told the press.
He said for now, the group would be hosted by the NRGP whiles efforts are made to establish a more sustainable and independent institutional arrangement.
The National Co-ordinator of the NRGP, Mr Roy Ayariga told the Daily Graphic in an interview that the forum was necessary because it sought to bring together all the actors onto a common platform to share ideas on the concept of commodity value-chains and to strategise on the way forward.
He noted that agric commodity value chains, though relatively new in Ghana, was the best approach to promoting agri-business and increasing rural incomes.
“Hither to, we were focusing on only production, whiles relegating value addition and marketing, but production becomes a waste if there is no available market and fair prices for the goods,” he mentioned.
“With the commodity value chains, all actors in the value chains act in unison and with certainty. Whiles input dealers and financial institutions support the farmer to produce the crop variety and quality that is in demand, the marketers and buyers remain assured of getting their desired produce,” he added.
Mr Ayariga stated that promoting commodity value chains in Ghana would certainly be the way to improve the incomes of smallholder farmers because it would move them beyond subsistence and guarantee them of a ready market and fair prices for their produce.
He said the NRGP was championing the adoption of the commodity value chains in Ghana because it believes strongly in partnership as being the key way to enhancing agric in the country.
Aside the formation of the association, the participants also brainstormed on innovative ways of value chain financing and marketing of agricultural produce and manufactured products.
“We have introduced a system, where we design an electronic data-base of various participants in the value-chain and the linkage activities among the various players is anchored through mobile telephony,” the Country Representative of the International Centre for Soil Fertility (IFDC), Dr Kofi Debrah stated in an interview.
“Many of our partners, including the farmers, have cell phones and therefore can transform these phones into business tools, rather than for social communication,” he further stated.
Mr Debrah mentioned the ‘mFarms’ platform, which he described as an information exchange tool, a decision support tool and a planning, production and marketing tool.
With the enthusiasm with which the NRGP is engineering the process, it is hoped that an effective commodity value chains system would soon be borne out of these deliberations.
CCFC MARKS 15 YEARS OF SERVICE IN GHANA (PAGE 18, FEB 4, 2011)
WHILES the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC), an international child-centred organisation, is marking its 50th anniversary globally, its branch in Ghana is celebrating 15 years of service to deprived children and communities in Ghana.
The CCFC commenced operations in the country in 1996 with the desire to address the phenomenon of head pottering (Kayayei), at a time when it was gaining national attention.
Little by little, the organisation expanded its operations and is now functional in 13 districts in the Northern Region, including Tamale, the regional capital.
In all these places, the CCFC has worked to improve the wellbeing of children, families and communities in the area of health, education, nutrition, water and sanitation, micro-enterprise development and institutional capacity.
At a durbar in Tamale to climax the anniversary celebrations, the Country Director of the CCFC, Madam Sanatu Nantogma mentioned some of the achievements chalked by her organisation over the past years.
“In education, we have constructed more than 30 classroom blocks with offices and stores, provided dual desks and teachers to 32 schools and organised literacy classes in 65 communities,” she stated.
Madam Sanatu noted that what was more pleasing to the CCFC was the establishment of ten early childhood development centres in various communities to support nursery education.
“In all, about 20,000 children have benefited from the support provided in education alone,” she added.
For health and nutrition, the country director mentioned that over the last five year, the CCFC had provided drugs for Malaria and worm control to the Ghana Health Service for administration to school children.
The CCFC, she noted, have also played a key role in the construction of clinics in some deprived communities and has also helped improve the nutrition of children by instituting a school feeding programme in some areas.
The provision of rainwater harvesting tanks and hand dug wells readily comes to mention as the CCFC’s contribution towards improving rural inhabitants’ access to potable water.
According to Madam Sanatu, “the CCFC has provided more than 30 hand dug wells, over 100 rainwater harvesting tanks and a dam complete with filtration to schools.”
She also mentioned the construction of household latrines for numerous homes and schools in deprived communities.
Madam Sanatu admits however that all these support, together with many others, could not have been possible without the support of funding agencies and partner organisations.
“From 2003 to date, a total of about 15.5 million Canadian dollars has been spent on our communities, thanks to our sponsors, grants and special project donors,” she stated.
She however expressed the hope that one day, well-to-do Ghanaians and institutions would lead the way in providing hope to children and families that are deprived.
“Many children have ambitions and will like to achieve them. They wanted to be doctors, nurses, teachers, pilots and great footballers. How can they achieve these dreams if we do not help them today,” she asked, rhetorically.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba commended the CCFC for being a trusted partner in development over the years.
He noted that the initiatives of the CCFC were in tandem with the policies and programmes of the government, adding that “our government is a social democratic one and therefore it places premium on measures that seek to lift the people from poverty.”
The minister mentioned the Free Compulsory and Universal Basic Education (FCUBE), the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), the Capitation Grant and the provision of free uniforms and textbooks to children as some of the measures being championed by the government to improve education in the country.
The CCFC commenced operations in the country in 1996 with the desire to address the phenomenon of head pottering (Kayayei), at a time when it was gaining national attention.
Little by little, the organisation expanded its operations and is now functional in 13 districts in the Northern Region, including Tamale, the regional capital.
In all these places, the CCFC has worked to improve the wellbeing of children, families and communities in the area of health, education, nutrition, water and sanitation, micro-enterprise development and institutional capacity.
At a durbar in Tamale to climax the anniversary celebrations, the Country Director of the CCFC, Madam Sanatu Nantogma mentioned some of the achievements chalked by her organisation over the past years.
“In education, we have constructed more than 30 classroom blocks with offices and stores, provided dual desks and teachers to 32 schools and organised literacy classes in 65 communities,” she stated.
Madam Sanatu noted that what was more pleasing to the CCFC was the establishment of ten early childhood development centres in various communities to support nursery education.
“In all, about 20,000 children have benefited from the support provided in education alone,” she added.
For health and nutrition, the country director mentioned that over the last five year, the CCFC had provided drugs for Malaria and worm control to the Ghana Health Service for administration to school children.
The CCFC, she noted, have also played a key role in the construction of clinics in some deprived communities and has also helped improve the nutrition of children by instituting a school feeding programme in some areas.
The provision of rainwater harvesting tanks and hand dug wells readily comes to mention as the CCFC’s contribution towards improving rural inhabitants’ access to potable water.
According to Madam Sanatu, “the CCFC has provided more than 30 hand dug wells, over 100 rainwater harvesting tanks and a dam complete with filtration to schools.”
She also mentioned the construction of household latrines for numerous homes and schools in deprived communities.
Madam Sanatu admits however that all these support, together with many others, could not have been possible without the support of funding agencies and partner organisations.
“From 2003 to date, a total of about 15.5 million Canadian dollars has been spent on our communities, thanks to our sponsors, grants and special project donors,” she stated.
She however expressed the hope that one day, well-to-do Ghanaians and institutions would lead the way in providing hope to children and families that are deprived.
“Many children have ambitions and will like to achieve them. They wanted to be doctors, nurses, teachers, pilots and great footballers. How can they achieve these dreams if we do not help them today,” she asked, rhetorically.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba commended the CCFC for being a trusted partner in development over the years.
He noted that the initiatives of the CCFC were in tandem with the policies and programmes of the government, adding that “our government is a social democratic one and therefore it places premium on measures that seek to lift the people from poverty.”
The minister mentioned the Free Compulsory and Universal Basic Education (FCUBE), the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), the Capitation Grant and the provision of free uniforms and textbooks to children as some of the measures being championed by the government to improve education in the country.
TUTOR DONATES MATHS BOOKS TO TAMALE LIBRARY (PAGE 22, FEB 1, 2011)
A MATHEMATICS tutor and author, Mr Elvis Alhassan has urged students who patronise libraries not to limit their reading materials to only story books, but to expand their horizon to cover other areas, including Mathematics.
According to him, libraries have a stock of books on various subjects and each of the subjects was of relevance to both academic and practical life.
“Maths in particular is a subject that is very critical to one’s academic success. At various levels, Maths tests are conducted and therefore students have no excuse to leave out Maths when using the library,” he stated.
Mr Alhassan made these remarks when he presented some copies of his new Mathematics book – El Ak Series Core Mathematics for Senior High Schools (SHSs) in West Africa – to the Northern Regional Library.
This presentation, he explained, was to increase the stock of Mathematics books at the library and equally introduce the book to students and other patrons of the library.
Mr Alhassan, who is currently a senior research assistant and a Masters student at the Department of Applied and Business Mathematics at the University for Development Studies (UDS), debunked the assertion that Mathematics was a tough subject.
“Anything could be difficult if it is not well-taught,” he stated, adding that “if Mathematics is taught in a more interesting, participatory and practical manner, students would easily appreciate the subject.”
The author described his book as one which is “self explanatory” and would enable students to follow it independently without supervision. “Each topic treated follows the trend of the new WASSCE syllabus taught in the Senior High Schools and it contains solved objectives and theory past questions,” he added.
The Northern Regional Librarian, Mr Aaron Kuwornu commended the author for endeavouring to present copies of his book to the library.
He said it was important that authors present copies of their publications to the library because “it is at the library that many students and readers discover these books.”
He also noted that a proper library must have stock of every book, irrespective of the subject, so as to serve as an effective reference point.
According to him, libraries have a stock of books on various subjects and each of the subjects was of relevance to both academic and practical life.
“Maths in particular is a subject that is very critical to one’s academic success. At various levels, Maths tests are conducted and therefore students have no excuse to leave out Maths when using the library,” he stated.
Mr Alhassan made these remarks when he presented some copies of his new Mathematics book – El Ak Series Core Mathematics for Senior High Schools (SHSs) in West Africa – to the Northern Regional Library.
This presentation, he explained, was to increase the stock of Mathematics books at the library and equally introduce the book to students and other patrons of the library.
Mr Alhassan, who is currently a senior research assistant and a Masters student at the Department of Applied and Business Mathematics at the University for Development Studies (UDS), debunked the assertion that Mathematics was a tough subject.
“Anything could be difficult if it is not well-taught,” he stated, adding that “if Mathematics is taught in a more interesting, participatory and practical manner, students would easily appreciate the subject.”
The author described his book as one which is “self explanatory” and would enable students to follow it independently without supervision. “Each topic treated follows the trend of the new WASSCE syllabus taught in the Senior High Schools and it contains solved objectives and theory past questions,” he added.
The Northern Regional Librarian, Mr Aaron Kuwornu commended the author for endeavouring to present copies of his book to the library.
He said it was important that authors present copies of their publications to the library because “it is at the library that many students and readers discover these books.”
He also noted that a proper library must have stock of every book, irrespective of the subject, so as to serve as an effective reference point.
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