WEST GONJA DCE LAMBAST SABOTEURS

Hon. Adam Mutawakil, District Chief Executive for West Gonja in the northern region says he is not disconcerted about political machinations hatched by groups he described as “Government saboteurs’ to divert his attention from delivering the NDC’s Better Ghana agenda. He says some opposition elements in the district are nervous over the President John Mills led NDC administration’s unprecedented record it has so far set in terms of the numerous development projects that have been executed, while some ongoing ones were almost complete in the West Gonja district. The West Gonja DCE was reacting to threats made by the opposition New Patriotic Party youth group called NPP Nyunsum Youth Association in Mankarigu to mobilize residents of Mankarigu, Yagbon and Lukula communities to demonstrate against the Mills-Mahama led NDC administration. Amadu Haruna, Head of Zonal Communication team of the NPP’s 2012 campaign in Mankarigu at a news conference said the group’s intension was largely informed by what appeared to be the total neglect of Mankarigu, Yagbon and the Lukula communities despite the residents massive support for the NDC during the 2008 elections. He described the NDC as “Promise and fail” party in government which should be rejected in 2012. But Hon. Adam Mutawakil in an exclusive interview with Citi News described the group’s claims as “Baseless and dumfounded” which must be treated with the contempt that it deserved. In reference to some projects which the New Patriotic Party youth group called NPP Nyunsum Youth Association in Mankarigu gave credit to the erstwhile NPP administration, the West Gonja DCE proved that about 80 percent of the said projects were executed during the NDC 1&2 regimes. “Most of the boreholes they claim were provided during the NPP regime were in fact constructed during NDC 1&2: when I came into office some of the abandoned projects by the NPP including 2 No. 1, 6 unit classroom blocks have been built at Sakpege and Sankpala.” “These projects were completed by this current NDC administration in 2009 and I can boast that Mankarigu and its satellite communities are among the first beneficiary communities in this district” he stressed. Hon. Adam Mutawakil further disclosed that basic school pupils in Mankarigu and its surrounding communities benefitted from the free school uniforms and text books distribution exercise. He hinted that construction work on culverts to link Mankarigu and Yagbon to other parts of the region was progressing while a solar street lighting system project for Sankpala, Sakpege, Lukula, Mankarigu Yagbon and Minpeasem is almost complete. “These solar lighting systems are mounted at vantage locations such that evil minded persons cannot execute their nefarious activities at night especially in schools, health centres, chief palaces and the market centres” he explained.

GOVERNMENT COMPENSATES NAKPANDURI VICTIMS

Government has donated a large consignment of assorted accessories to victims of the Nakpanduri raid by security operatives during their search for notorious Armed-Robber Johnson Kombian. The donation valued at 300,000 Ghana cedis comprised 400 bags of rice, 400 bags of maize, 400 bags of beans, 300 packets of roofing sheets, 50 packets of roofing nails, 500 blankets, 200 lanterns, 600 drinking cups, 60 bales of used clothing and 60 mats. It augmented similar donations made earlier by the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) following incessant attacks on government by the affected persons for what appeared to be their total neglect. Dr. Benjamin Kumbour, the Minister for Interior led a high powered government delegation to Nakpanduri where he presented the donation to the chief of the area for onward distribution to the beneficiaries. The Interior Minister admitted that there were some excesses during the security raid and honorably apologized to the chiefs and people of the area particularly those who were traumatized by that circumstance. Dr. Kumbour assured the victims of more donations and encouraged the people of Nakpanduri keep faith in government as plans are far advanced to develop the area to an appreciable standard. He disclosed government’s intension to increase the police services manpower strength by training about 2,500 more police personnel in 2012. He also added that plans are afoot to import about 700 brand new vehicles to empower the patrol teams to combat Armed-Robbery and other related crimes that have endangered national security lately. Dr. Benjamin Kumbour later inspected an ongoing district police station project valued at 66,000 Ghana cedis. The Nakpanduri chief, Naaba David Kansuk commended government for the donation and confirmed that it was the third of its series. He said the people of Nakpanduri are determined to promote peace in the area to encourage government and development partners to execute projects needed to improve their living conditions. Sharing their thoughts with the Media, three of the victims, Martin Kombian, Duut Baby and Jagong Tahidu were grateful to government for the donation but complained that it was woefully inadequate. In their estimation, the donation can not commensurate with what they loss during the raid, hence the need for government to do more. Hon. Philip Laari, the District Chief Executive for Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo promised the people that government is on course to deliver its Better Ghana agenda. He told them that government under the leadership of President John Evans Atta Mills had good plans for the people of the district and implored them to co-exist peacefully. Hon. Philip Laari challenged the youth to acquire higher academic laurels to improve the districts human resource base needed to improve their socio-economic development. The delegation which involved Mr. Moses Bukari Mabengba, the northern regional Minister and other members of the Regional Security Council earlier paid a courtesy call on the King of Mamprugu, the Nayiri, Naa-Bohagu Mahami Sherigah. The Mamprugu King among other concerns implored government to tar the Walewale-Gambaga and other roads linking the area to other parts of the country.

NDC youth on Azorka’s nerves

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) youth coalition in the Tamale central constituency are on the nerves of the Regional Vice Chairman of the party for what they described as his gross of disrespect to party loyalties and the youth in the region. The youth coalition of the Tamale central constituency stated in a press conference organized in Tamale that certain major but negative development have emerged in the region which is not only worrying and disturbing but have the potential of disintegrating the party and making it largely unpopular. The chairman of the youth coalition, Abdul-Razak Alhassan Daballi said since the demise of the late Chairman of the party Alhaji Sumani all the hopes and aspirations of the youth and the region under the cruel, wicked, self centered Sofo Azorka have been lost. According to Adul-Razak Daballi, Azorka has turned himself as an auctioneer, grabbing vehicles for his selfish gains. Adding that the selfish Vice Chairman does not only grab but sells those alleged vehicles to some members of the NPP at exorbitant prices to enrich himself to the neglect of his own party members. The youth coalition is made up of over 106 youth groups alleged that Azorka assembled the youth and pleaded with them to organize themselves to welcome President John Evan Atta Mills during his recent visit to the region. They youth raised an issue that Azorka Vehemently mentioned to the surprised of the audience that Abudu-Andani issue can be in any form, what matters to him in the party is how to amass wealth for himself. Mr. Daballi therefore send a serious warning to the Vice Chairman to put a stop to his wicked, cruel, selfish and the greedy activities that is hindering the youth of the party. They disgruntled youth indicated that Sofo Azorka is nobody without the youth saying that it was a complete deceit that he sent 1,800 youth to the recent Sunyani congress. The youth however called on the President, John Evans Atta Mills to wake up from the slumber to advised Chief Azorka or do not think that winning in the Tamale central and Dagbon again is a forgone conclusion adding, if justice denied, voting is lost and winning is gone.

NCCE BOSS BLAME PARENTS FOR ACT OF VIOLENCE

NCCE BOSS BLAME PARENTS FOR ACT OF VIOLENCE
The Tamale Metropolitan Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Alhaji Abdul-Razak Saani, says the act of indiscipline and violence that has bedeviled the youth in the Tamale Metropolis is a replica of their parent’s attitude. The NCCE director said children emulate the practice of parents faster being it good or abysmal behavior saying that culminating from this fact that they are lots of violence in the Tamale Metropolis. Alhaji Saani was speaking as a guest speaker at the speech and price given day of Abe-Halperin School under the topic violence against children. Citing Adolf Hitler, he said Hitler inherited his awkward and violent behavior from his parents and hence advised parents to handle their children with dignity and respect. According to him, the abusive treatments some children go through in the hands of parents are some of the fallout of mental retardation, dejectedness, rejected and mostly feel insecure in the hands of their own parents. Alhaji Saani stated categorically that, Acticle 27 and the children’s Act (556) of the constitution indicated clear how parents should bring up their children. Adding, it behooves on every parents to take responsibility of their wards once they brought forth of them. Ahaji Saani also lamented on the falling standard of education in the Metropolis especially the girl-child, enumerating that 60 percent of girls who sat for this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination failed. This he attributed to the irresponsibility of parents in the Metropolis. The NCCE Boss said due to the irresponsiveness of parents children are languishing in the Tamale market which they call “DaaJugu” literally means Market vultures for their sustenance. He called on parents to live up to expectation and take the responsibility as parents and groom the children to become better future leaders of this great nation

MP’s URGED TO BE SERIOUS WITH THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION BILL

MP’s URGED TO BE SERIOUS WITH THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION BILL
Mr. Alhassan Imoro, Principal of the International Institute of Journalism in Tamale has called on Members of Ghana’s Legislature to serve the collective interest of their constituents by immediately passing the Right to Information Bill into law. He is convinced that the Parliamentarians on whose shoulders the Right to Information Bill lies have no excuse for dragging their feet on the matter which is of importance to all Ghanaians. Mr. Imoro Alhassan who is also a media consultant with the Northern Rural Media Network (RUMNET), a Tamale based Non Governmental Organization realized that passing the Bill into law will make Ghana assume the status as the gateway to West Africa with regards the Right to Information. He was speaking at a day’s regional forum on the Right to Information in Tamale where he opined that the Parliamentarians were afraid to pass it into law because the media will be more resourced to expose them to their constituents. He observed that the Right to Information law will encourage Ghanaians to get involved in social auditing in their communities as a means of strengthening public transparency and accountability. Mr. Imoro Alhassan expressed his deepest worry about the increasing number of politicians owning media houses in Ghana and hence called for its immediate reversal. According to him, the situation has created an enabling environment for politicians, social commentators and serial callers to spew insults and assassinate characters believed to be their opponents. For his part, Mahama Zakaria, northern regional Coordinator of the Right to Information and Convener of the forum categorically stated that members of the Coalition will incite the electorate against their MP’s if they continue with what he described as their “Lukewarm attitude” towards the Right to Information Bill. He noted that the attitude of the Parliamentarians toward the Right to Information Bill meant that they were not seeking the interest of the masses but their selfish gains. Mahama Zakariah described as “Unwise and unjustifiable” the Parliamentary select committee on the Right to Information’s decision to hold public consultative forum for the three northern regions on Monday August 1 without any prior notice to that effect. The forum drew participants from the security, the media, the clergy, the political class and the general public.

CASUD-Ghana call to strategize their business

CASUD-Ghana call to strategize their business
Community Aid for Sustainable Development (CASUD-Ghana), a Non Governmental Organization has called on women groups to strategize their business to ensure efficient management of their enterprises. This it says will go a long way to boost their small scale businesses to enhance their livelihoods. The programme coordinator for Assembly’s of God Relief and Development Service (AGGREDS), Issahaku Zakaria made this call at this year’s conference of the organization organized for women groups in the Tamale Metropolis. CASUD-Ghana which has a membership of over thousand comprises 43 women groups who are engaged in small scale business to ensure their livelihood were taking through safe book keeping, hepatitis and the importance of education. Mr. Issahaku said a well planned business will not only expand but also flourish to the benefit of the society. He appealed to the women to plan their business accurately to prevent losses and ensure profit maximization saying that the aim of every entrepreneur is to maximize profit. The also cautioned them not to be spend drift as their businesses are still immature. The Principal Field Offer of National Commission for Civic Education for the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Mohammed Abukari appealed to parents to enroll their ward in school especially the girl child. He said education is a life time investment and parents should use the profit they made from their business to invest into their children. Mr. Mohammed said it was necessary to intensify the training of the girl child to reduce the high unemployment rate among women. The Project Coordinator, Ibrahim Joshua expressed profound gratitude to the women the pledged the organization continues support to the women. He said the organization aimed at helping the needy to grow beyond their limits. He called on other civil society organization and government to intervene to guarantee speedy growth of CASUD.
 

TAMA TO STOP CONSTRUCTING PUBLIC TOILETS

TAMA to stop constructing Public toilets

The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly will no longer construct public toilets in neighborhoods an in all communities under the jurisdiction of the assembly except at public places such as markets, big lorry parks, hospitals and institutions such as schools where people usually congregate in large numbers outside their homes.
In this connection, Landlords and all owners of homes and other residential properties who do not have toilet facilities within those are therefore require to urgently provide such necessities or have themselves to blame when enforcement of the directive begins.
These were announced by the Mayor of Tamale, Alhaji Haruna Abdualai Friday at separate meetings with chiefs, opinion leaders, women commissioners, unit committee members and others residence during a working visit to 16 communities within three electoral areas in the Metropolis.
The visits were to afford the Mayor the opportunity to listen to the concerns and other developmental challenges of the people so as to enable the assembly evolve appropriate strategies and interventions to address the challenges.
According to Friday, all submitted request for building permits for the construction of residential accommodation that do not contain provision for toilet facilities will not be approved by the assembly.
The initiative he said is also urgently being implemented by most of the Metropolitan, Municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) across the country as part of measures by the local government ministry to combat poor environmental sanitation and other unhygienic condition associated with most of these public toilets, stressing that, the move is also aimed at protecting the people against exposure to the risk of contagious and infectious diseases associated with the usage of public toilets.
This new directive he stated will undoubtedly posed a huge challenge to most household in the metropolis and therefore assured that, all the existing public toilets will not be closed down but will rather be kept and maintained to serve the needs of those who may not immediately be able to afford their own toilets within their homes. He indicated that some assemblies in the country have already embraced the policy and have started enforcing it whilst at the same time facilitating the extension of support from NGOs and other environmentally conscious organizations to assist interested households who may not have the ability and capacity to fund the construction of the toilets on their own.
He added that the assembly will do same here in Tamale so as to support those who will not be able to afford the construction of their own household toilets saying the Metropolis will soon benefit from a support of 1,500 household toilets from the French International Development Organization Agency Francais Development (AFD).
The Mayor expressed optimism about the success of the new initiative even though the support from the French Government is woefully inadequate considering the number of households in the Metropolis but notwithstanding, he appealed to all in the Metropolis to embrace this new policy directive of the Assembly so as to make Tamale an environmentally clean and safe place for all.
He however made a passionate appeal to them to desist from defecating indiscriminately and warned of severe consequences for all those who will be caught littering the environment with any form of unwanted waste materials.
The request of the people in all the communities visited included the need or lack of electricity, access road leading or from one community to the other, additional or a new school block, safe and portable drinking water, access to credit facilities, toilets facilities, refuse containers, drains to check flooding, income generating activities and construction of culverts as in the case of residents in Chogu-filling point.