NDC Media analysts group call Rawlings to lead 2012 campaign

The northern region media analysts group of National Democratic Congress has called on the party’s leadership to take immediate steps to invite the founder Jerry John Rawlings to lead the elections 2012 campaigns. The group is convinced that the NDC cannot win the 2012 general elections without the Rawlings’ playing active role in the 2012 campaigns, hence the need for the leadership to include them on the campaign trail. In a congratulatory message issued and copied to Citi News, Baba Musah, Secretary to the northern region NDC media analysts group thanked the delegates for overwhelmingly endorsing President John Evans Atta Mills’ candidature to lead the party to victory in 2012. He said the delegates decision at the just ended congress in Sunyani meant that President Mills was on track and deserved a second chance to accomplish his unfinished Better Ghana agenda. Baba Musah called the need to abolish the numerous support groups that emerged in the run-up to the congress with the popular ones being the Get Atta Mills Endorsed and Friends of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings. He noted that such groupings were no longer necessary for which reason members of those groupings should disintegrate and rekindle their loyalty to the NDC for victory in 2012. Baba Musah commended Hon. Teye Nyaunu, national campaign coordinator for FONKAR for being bold to come out and announce his unflinching support for President Mills if he invited him to help him retain power in 2012. He also thanked all the major stakeholders such the Electoral Commission, the security agencies, the NDC leadership at all levels, the media and residents of Sunyani for making the congress a violence free event.

HAWKERS SHARE TEARS OF BLOOD WITH TAMALE MAYOR

Hawkers at the weekend cry blood as the Metropolitan Assembly led by the Metropolitan Chief Executive vehemently embarked on a massive demolishing exercise around the Tamale Sports Stadium. Alhaji Haruna Abdulai Friday, popularly known as Alizini told our newsmen that the kiosks and other structures, which were built around the premises are an authorized structures which must be remove from the ceremonial road. He said notices were served on them on May 5th, 2011 and on May 21, 2011 to quit but they refused to do so. The demolishing exercise, which has so far affected over 50 structures started at the stadium roundabout to the Hill-Top roundabout worth Millions of cedis. According to the Mayor there will be a monitoring exercise to ensure that the structures do not spring up again. The Hawkers, who were visibly angry, told our Newsmen they do not have anywhere to go to as hawking is their only source of livelihood. Mr.Abdul-Rahaman Iddrisu, a Hawker, pleaded with the Metropolitan Assembly to help them get a place where they can settle with their kiosk to earn a leaving. A disabled man who was also affected by the demolishing exercise could not withstand the pain and the amount invested into his kiosk bust into tears while confronting the Mayor on his tricycle chair. As to how the hawkers acquired the land in the area, they claimed the Chief of Nyohini sold the pieces of land at a cost of 300 Ghana ceids for them but as whether they have acquired permit from the Metropolitan assembly, they remained mute to our reporters on the grounds. Mr. Issah Musah, Public Relation Officer of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, said plans are far advanced to allocate the hawkers to the Kalpohini and the Kuakuo markets.

MAYOR REITERATE THE NEED CHERISH PEACE IN TAMALE

The Mayor of Tamale, Alhaji Haruna Abdulai Friday has reiterated the need for residence to cherish peace to ensure socio-economic development in the Metropolis and the region as a whole. He said shambles in the metropolis for some years ago has painted a bad image on the metropolis which has scared investors from investing in the metropolis. He was however smart to say that the extreme peace and unity among the people recently is now convincing a wide range of investor to the fastest growing city in West Africa. The made said this at the second anniversary celebration of the Behisung Youth Association at Aboaboo market. He appealed to the youth to advocate for peace, unity, tolerance and understanding among each other for they are the future leaders of the country. The association which was set up 2006 is made up mainly traders, farmers and renowned businessmen have a membership of 45 with the objective of fostering peace and unity, nurse the motherless and see to the welfare of its members. The association as part of it cooperate social responsibility has carried out a lot of humanitarian service at the Nyohini Ophanage, Savelugu Ophanage, among other under prevelege societies in the region. The Secretary of Behisung Association, Issahaku Iddrisu in a speech said the association has chalked many successes since their establishment though there are obstacles on their way but they have managed to overcome some. According to the Secretary, the association has observed the most striking issues confronting the region are high rate of school dropout, teenage pregnancy and arm robbery among the youth saying, these escalating menace are as a result of lack of proper parenting, high rate of unemployment, lack of sensitization programs. They therefore appealed to individuals, cooperate bodies, Non-Governmental Organizations and benevolent organization to come to the aid of the association to continue with its humanitarian works across the region.

JOURNALISTS ATTEND WORKSHOP ON PEACE BUILDING

JOURNALISTS ATTEND WORKSHOP ON PEACE BUILDING
Some Journalists drawn from the three northern regions of Ghana have attended a
workshop in Tamale under the topic reducing conflict through peace journalism.
The workshop spearheaded by Tamale based media consultancy firm called the
Rural Media Network (RUMNET) among other things sought to school the
participants on the dynamics of conflicts in northern Ghana.
It also aimed at reminding them of their critical role towards reducing
conflicts in the three northern regions through responsible journalism.
Resource persons from the West Africa Network for Peace Building took the
participants through relevant topics such intelligence gathering, conflict
prevention, types of conflict and peace building mechanisms.
Delivering his keynote address, Abdallah Kassim, Executive Director of the
Rural Media Network (RUMNET) reiterated the need for Ghanaian Journalists to be
circumspect in their reportage on the pervasive conflicts that have inundated
the three northern regions. He acknowledged the important role the media plays in conflict prevention and peace building which he said has the capacity of promoting peace or triggering
conflicts. He thereby underscored the need for the media to cultivate the habit of
searching for accurate and reliable sources of information on conflict
situations.“The media has both the capacity to promote peace and to trigger the escalation
of conflict and violence which will have adverse effects on the society and
influence the behaviour of individuals and interest groups: it is against this
backdrop I am pleading with you to refrain from acts that will influence the
behaviour of individuals and interest groups to spark conflict in their
communities.” Abdallah Kassim claimed that some Ghanaian Journalists lacked comprehensive
knowledge on the conflict situations in northern Ghana and sometimes misinforms
the public through their sensational reportage. “The power of the media require Journalist to think ahead of how their reportage can influence the dynamics of conflicts and create new ones: it is
for this reason I call on Editors and Journalists to be conflict-sensitive and
take full responsibility for their actions” Abdallah Kassim stated.
The participants including Citi Fm’s Upper West Regional Correspondent Mahama
Latif, Samuel Akapule of the Ghana News Agency and Joy Fm’s Northern Regional
Correspondent Mahama Shaibu expressed their delight about the workshop and
pledged their commitment to share the knowledge gained with their colleagues
who did not get the opportunity to attend.

NDC YOUTH RALLYS SUPPORT FOR SADA

NDC YOUTH RALLYS SUPPORT FOR SADA
Members of the Progressive Action Youth of the NDC in Tamale who recently
attacked the Tamale Mayor’s office in protest against a decongestion exercise
carried by the assembly have commended government for releasing $25 million US
Dollars as seed capital for the successful implementation of projects earmarked
under the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority.
The group said government’s financial commitment towards the smooth
implementation of the SADA programmes indicated that President John Mills was
really committed to bridging the north-south divide on developmental lines.
In a press statement signed by Abdul Fasit Osman, Secretary to the Progressive
Action Youth of the NDC expressed the group’s confidence in the NDC
administration’s forward march to transform the socio-economic development of
the rural poor in northern Ghana.
He therefore called on all well meaning Ghanaians particularly those of
northern decent to rise above petty squabbles and support government and its
development partners to improve the living conditions of northerners.
Abdul Fasit alluded that the Northern Youth for Peace and Development (NYUPED)
which threatened a massive demonstration against government over its delay in
implementing the SADA policy was financed by the opposition NPP to divert the
NDC government’s attention from its Better Ghana Agenda.
“The vile attempt by the so-called Northern Ghana Youth for Peace and
Development sponsored by its paymasters the NPP to antagonize the good people
of northern Ghana and the NDC government especially the Vice President John
Dramani Mahama should be ignored” he stated.
Abdul Fasit challenged the Northern Youth for Peace and Development and other
likeminded bodies to stop issuing “Empty threats” and offer constructive
suggestions to government to uplift the image of northern Ghana throuth its
well tailored programmes.

NORTHERNERS URGED TO CHANGE

NORTHERNERS URGED TO CHANGE
The Northern sector Manager of a Non Governmental Organization called the
Chiropractic Around the World has stated that the northern region would remain
under-developed unless majority of the citizens were willing to change their
attitudes to attract investors to the area.
Adam Suale said a lot of investors were scared to invest in northern Ghana
because of the prevalent conflict situation, hence the vital need for
northerners especially the youth to change their disposition.
He was addressing members of the Tamale Keep Fit Clubs at the end of a peace
walk sponsored by the Spinal Clinic in Tamale.

Adam Suale persisted that the youth of northern Ghana should concentrate on
acquiring knowledge and abstain from unconstructive practices that undermine
their socio-economic development.
On the significance of the Spinal Clinic which was established by Dr. Bryan
Cox in Tamale with an outlet in the Upper East Region, he said it was meant to
educate citizens of northern Ghana on the importance of the spine as an
integral part of the human structure.
He called on citizens of northern Ghana to patronize the Spinal Clinic because
its clients are educated on health habits such as rest, drinking plenty but
wholesome water, exercising and keeping a positive mental attitude.
Alhaji Mohammed Zaman, Chairman of the Northern Regional Keep Fit Clubs was
impressed about the attendance and pleaded with the participants to encourage
their peers to cultivate the habit of doing regular exercise.
He said the Keep Fit Clubs were established in Tamale to bring interested
residents together to forge ahead in unity though in diversity.
Alhaji Zaman was glad that the Clubs members who came from different
backgrounds were more disciplined and united than ever.
The peace walk which is a monthly event organized by the Spinal Clinic in
collaboration with the Tamale Keep Fit Clubs aims at promoting peace and to
educate residents of the area on the importance of living healthier lives.

YENDI GPRTU ROARS OVER HIGH CHARGES

YENDI GPRTU ROARS OVER HIGH CHARGES
Some markets in Accra and other parts of the southern sector are likely to
experience the shortage of yam and other food stuffs grown in the northern
region as a result of vehicle owners threat to withdraw their services.

Heavy truck owners who are members of the Yendi branch of the Ghana Private
Road and Transport Union took this decision at a news conference organized to
express their frustration over what they described as exorbitant charges by
authorities of the Axle weight load station at Yapei in the Central Gonja
District.
Mr. Abdul-Majeed Hamidu Cheindow Farika who doubles as Secretary to the Yendi
branch of the GPRTU of the Trades Union Congress and the Yendi Cooperative
Farmers and Marketing Society commented that charges at the Axle weight load
station in Yapei were above the required charges spelt out by the Ministry of
Road and Highways.
Comparing the charges, Mr. Cheindow revealed that Axle weight stations in
Kumasi, Accra and Tema by the approved amount charge charges 39 tonnes for
three axle vehicles whereas at the Yapei station the same vehicles weighing 21
tonnes pay equal amount.
The Secretary to the Yendi Branch of the GPRU of the TUC described that
practice as unfair and made a passionate appeal to the Minister for Road and
Highway to intervene or else they will withdraw their services anytime soon.