Fourth Maiden Graduation and Exhibition Held at Our Lady of Mercy community services Navrongo –UER

The fourth maiden graduation and exhibition has been held for 31 Ladies at the Our Lady of Mercy community services in Navrongo, the Upper East Region.

 It was under the theme “Empowering the Youth with skills and Education toward eradicating force and child marriages in northern Ghana”, with sponsorship from DFID, DANIDA and the European Union through Star Ghana.  

The aim of the project is to trained the teaming unemployed youth with various skills to face life on their own. Out of the 31, 19 graduated in dressmaking and were given sewing machines, 8 in beads and 4 in batik, tie and dye.

Each of them received an undisclosed amount of money for a start up in their various locations.  

The 31 grandaunts bring the number of beneficiaries trained in employable skills alone to four hundred and One 401. 

In his welcome address, the Director of the Our Lady of Mercy Community Services Mr. Emmanuel Atiiga said, since the inception of the organization, their focus has been on skills training which leads to job creation and increase in productivity, looking into the future.

He indicated that over six hundred and seventy 670 beneficiaries have passed through their Institution, made up of employable skills and ICT.

Mr. Atiiga disclosed that they have expanded their activities to include radio programmes in partnership with Nabiina Community Radio, women rights education and natural resource management.

He added that three counseling center have also been establish at Navrongo, Paga and Sirigu to provide counseling services to adolescent and their parents.

He was grateful to their Austrian partners and the family of Machanek who supported his organization to put up a center for their work.

Some of the grandaunts expressed their joy for the opportunity offered them saying with start up, they will take control of their lives.

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GHC 12.000 Borehole has been sunk for St John Integrated SHST special- Navrongo

A borehole, valued at twelve thousand Ghana cedis has been sunk for the St John Integrated Senior High Technical School in Navrongo Kassena Nankana District of the Upper East Region.

 The newly constructed bore hole brings to four the number of bore holes in the school. The school has total population of seven hundred and twenty-four (724), made up of three hundred and thirty-five (335) boys, three hundred and forty six (346) girls, 23 hearing impaired boys and 20 hearing impaired girls.

The 742 students have been depending on three bore holes, one mechanized and two manual.  In her opening address, the Headmistress of the school Madam Kazaresam Gemma Akalebgri said academic work has often been affected due to pressure on the three existing bore holes, some students’ ends up getting the water late, the situation is affecting class attendance.

She was full of praise whilst  the entire school and the community are excited for the provision of the bore hole as it help augment their water situation in the school.  She promised that together with the stuff and the students, they will take good care of the facility.

The manager, Catholic Education Unit of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese Rev. Sister Benadine Pemi and a board member of the school, described the situation where students have to go in search of water outside campus especially the girls as worrying.

She indicated that the bore hole came through the benevolence of one friend called Noeline Haylett from Ireland. Sister Pemi explained that after complains by the headmaster about the water situation on campus.

She made effort to substantiate the situation and after confirmation called on her friend in Ireland. Thankfully, her friend responded, hence the borehole.

Sister Pemi stressed that one of the key area of the child protection policy was to provide an enabling environment for students to learn and water is key in that regard.

She further indicated that the yet to be commissioned one will bring to six the number of bore holes her friend Noeline has provided.

Sister Pemi lauded Madam Noeline Haylett for her effort towards her the Diocese and the students’ welfare.                                    

A Three Day Training Workshop on Processing Moringa Products held in Bigboss-UER

A cross section of the students participating at the three day training workshop

A training workshop on processing moringa product has taken place at the Bolgatanga Senior High School BigBoss. The training also included mushroom and mango plantation and fish farming.

The training was aimed at equipping students with practical Agriculture knowledge and income generating skills. They were taken through processing of the various moringa product, packaging and labeling. In all, over 200 hundred students took part in the three day training workshop.

They were taken through moringa bar soap, shampoo, batting gel handwashing cream, ointment and moringa washing powder.

In an address, the Headmaster of the school Mr Ababu Aplelibiek said that the essence of the training was to inculcate in them some entrepreneurial skills so that whilst in school, they can form groups and the school will be ready to support them to generate some income.

He advised the students to take advantage of the opportunity given them and actively participate so that they could come out with multi-skilled that can earn living without seeking white colour job.

The Head of Department HOD said, Agriculture is not all about the classroom work but rather practical field work adding that the school farms were more appropriate for the students to demonstrate their Agricultural potentials.

In an interview with Radio Ghana the Agriculture Master Mr Abugre Haruna said Agriculture is not only theory in the classroom but practical and it was important that Agriculture students should be fully equipped to be entrepreneurs and not job seekers.  

He added that moringa for instance is medicinal and of so many uses but for lack of knowledge, people do not explore the plant and its income potential.

Mr Harun indicated that mushroom farming can be done anywhere even in the bed room with a

little start-up capital yet has a very large profit margin. He said it was a good venture especially for students who needs money whilst in school.

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2017 Annual Triangular Lawn Tennis Competition under way in Bolgatanga- UER

The annual triangular lawn Tennis Competition has been held in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

The triangular games which involves the three northern regions, Tamale, Bolgatanga and Wa started about a decade ago and has been played on rotational bases forming the triangle.

The aim of the games is foster unity and oneness among the three Regions of the north. In a welcome address, the Vice President of the Club Emmanuel Bugbilla disclosed that this year’s Competition being hosted by the Bolgatanga Tennis Club, is in commemoration of Ghana’s 60^th Independence. He called on members to feel at home as the friendly tires continues.

The Vice President of the Wa Tennis Club Mr. Brien on behalf of its members, presented three kids of Tennis Balls and an amount of One thousand five hundred Ghana cedis. GHC 1500, 00 to the Bolgatanga Club.

The President of the Bolgatanga Tennis Club Mr Martin Amana received the presentations of behalf of the hosting Club and thanked them for their support.

A Senior Lecturer and Head of Department University for Development Studies Nyankpala Campus, Dr Francis Kweku Amogloh on behalf of the Tamale Club also presented four kids of Tennis Balls and a cash amount of One thousand five Ghana Cedis GHC 1500, 00 to the hosting Club Bolgatanga.

In his opening address, the Upper East Regional Minister Rockson Ayine Bukari said, he was happy with the competition saying it will help bring out talents in Tennis sports in the three northern regions to represent us in national and international competitions.

  

The Minister noted that sports is one of the best paid jobs in the world today. He indicated that regular participation in sport and physical activities provides various social and health benefits.

Aside physical fitness, it instils healthy lifestyle choices among children and young people, by helping them to remain active in combating non-communicable disease.

He stated further that the World Health Organization has emphasized that physical exercise can stimulate positive mental health and cognitive development, improvement in self-esteem and self-confidence as well as positive effects in handling depression and anxiety conditions.

Mr. Bukari however stressed, that President Nana Akuffo-Addo has a vision of transforming the country to bring smiles on the faces of our people and urge all to help the government effect the needed change Ghana deserve.

He suggested that Tennis clubs be opened in the various schools in the region and urged Municipal and District Assemblies to support.

Mr Bukari advised Club members to be mindful of time and information management, communication gaps and the spirit of team work. The occasion will be used to award some old and young deserving members of the Club.

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commissioning of borehole for Our Lady of Lourdes SHS

 A borehole estimated at the cost of ten thousand Ghana Cedis had been commissioned for the Our Lady of Lourdes Girls Senior High School by the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocesan Development Office. 

This brings to three the number of functional boreholes out of four to cater for a student population of about 600. However, two of these mechanized boreholes constructed by the then government are not able to function effectively due to unreliable electricity supply to the school.

The school which has a fence wall of one mile square, has been facing acute water situation for both teachers and students since it was moved to the new site which is quite a distance from town. 

This came to light at a workshop on Child Protection Policy organized for the school by the Catholic Diocese of Navrongo Bolgatanga.

The objective of the workshop was to conscientize teachers on actions that constitute an abuse to a student.

Organised under the leadership of the Catholic Bishop of the Most Rt. Rev. Bishop Alfred Agyenta the workshop also created a platform for students to identify the various forms of abuses, how they occur and the right channel to seek redress when their rights are trampled upon. it was sponsored by the Kindermissionswerk of Germany.

Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Headmistress of the Our Lady of Lourdes School, Rev Sister Agnes Bernice Adongo said her institution is the only single sex school in the Kassena-Nankana District of the Upper East Region that is captured in the Secondary Education Improvement Programme SEIP, yet it is not given much attention in terms of adequate logistics and infrastructure.

She lamented that the school’s only old rickety pick-up that was bequeathed to them by the late Bishop Abadamlora of blessed memory in 2008 has outlived its usefulness.

It only takes the benevolence of some master of the school with motorbikes to sometimes help students to hospital in the event of emergency.

Sister Adongo further lamented that the only dormitory block which accommodates about four hundred students, now houses over 600 and could worsen in the coming years considering the implementation of the free Senior High School flagship policy by government. 

She said quite worrying is how monkeys enter the school premises with impunity since there are no gates to the fence wall. Sister Adongo therefore used the occasion to appeal to government and other philanthropic organization to come the aid of the school.

A facilitator and a Diocesan team member on Child Protection and Safeguarding Programme, Rev. Fr Tommy Hayden of the St Patrick missionaries’ society took participants through the various forms of abuses.

He emphasized the need for all to join hands in championing the cause of children devoid of discrimination and abuse of all forms as enshrined in the child protection policy.

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Child Protection Policy workshop organized at St Johns Integrated Senior High Technical School-Navrongo UER

About 72 teachers and 714 students have benefited a from day’s workshop on Child Protection Policy.

The workshop which was organized by the Catholic Diocese under the auspices of the Most Rt. Rev. Bishop Alfred Adjenta of Navrongo-Bolgatanga and sponsored by Kindermissionswerk of Germany.


The Most Rt. Rev. Bishop Adjenta is noted as the first catholic Bishop among his colleagues to organize the child protection workshop in the country.

It was organized at the St Johns Integrated Senior High Technical School in Navrongo  Kassena Nankana District of the Upper East Region.

The aim of the workshop was to educate the teachers about the child protection policy document, why they are being educated about it, and the benefits the teachers, parents, students, community and the nation at large stands to gain from the policy.

In an interview with Radio Ghana, the Regional Manager, Catholic Education Unit of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese Rev. Sister Bernadine Pemi said, the Child Protection Policy is generally about the management of children, provision of safe learning environment for them while in school and how these management’s skills can be adopted at homes and in communities by the teachers, parents and guardians.

She disclosed that, some of the teachers at times are abusers themselves, citing canning as a correctional measure and sexual abuse by some teachers. She also proposed that teachers should also keep an eye on students in the company of volunteers.

This is because, some volunteer are child abusers in their respective countries and can take advantage of school activities such as excursions and site seeing to abuse the children. 

Sister Pemi indicated that, the core mandate of the policy is to create a conducive atmosphere for learning.

One the part of the students, three facilitators from the Diocese Rev. Father Tommy Hayden with the presentation brothers, a retired educationist of Sandema Senior High Technical School Patricia Yizura and the Programme Head of Social Welfare James Agambilla interacted with the students.

They showed them pictures with various forms of the abuses to identify in case, any of such abuses and encouraged the students to identity such cases, how each abuse is meted out to them and the various channels  via which they can report abuse to the appropriated authorities. 

Most importantly, the children were taken through the Child rights Act, Act 560 of 1998 and the Juvenile Justice Act, 2003 Act 653

Rev father Tommy Hayden member of the St Patrick missionary Society. Advised the students to study hard and that it was the responsibility of the church to guide and protect them to become good future leaders.  

School Health Education Programme SHEP Meeting Held in Bolgatanga- Upper East

      

A stakeholder consultative meeting on sustainable health Programme for school children has been organized in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

The meeting was organized by the health Unit of the Catholic Diocesan Development Office CDDO of Navrongo –Bolgatanga.

The one year project, dubbed “School Health Education Programme” SHEP, seeks to address the health problems of school children in the areas of disease prevention and control, skills based health education, food safety, nutrition, safe and healthy school environment with sole aim of improving basic schools children health and academic performance.

According to the Development Coordinator Dr. Joseph Ayembilla indicated that the phase III project which cost four hundred thousand Euros  400.000 was sponsored by Kindernissionswerk of Germany, with Navrongo-Bolgatanga CDDO as implementing partners for the past three years.

About 76 participants drawn from the Ghana Education Service, the National Health Insurance Scheme NHIS, Catholic Education Unit CEU, and the Ghana Health Service attended the meeting.

In an interview with Radio Ghana, the Project health Coordinator, Mr. Bismark Akasoe disclosed that, the project has three phases which started in 2014. 

The first phase, 2014 to 2015 was piloting the project and 32 schools were covered within the six districts their health facilities are operating in.

Activities were basically education, health screening of school children and food vendors using the catholic health nurses and discussion with stakeholders, Ghana Education Service GES, Ghana Health Service, and the District and Municipal Assemblies.

Mr, Akudugu further indicated that, in the phase II, 2015 to 2016, the number of schools increased to 50. The current Phase III which started in 2016 and will end 2017, 118 schools have been covered. Out of this number he said, 11 schools within the six districts are to benefit from 22 sanitation facilities, a component package in the phase III.

The Regional Chief inspector of schools Mr. John Bobi, on behalf GES, handed over  an 8 seater place of convenient with ancillary facilities, consructed at a total cost of seventy-nine thousand Ghana cedis to the Headmistress of St Johns Junior High School Madam Fustina Agongo.

Madam Agongo was grateful saying the school has a student population of about four hundred and a place of convenient has been one of their major challenge over the years. 

2017 Feok Festival Launched in Sandema – Upper East Region

Speakers at the launch of the  2017 Feok Festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of the Builsa Traditional Area in the  Upper East Region, have made a passionate appeal to government  to work towards the inclusion of the  Buli language in the educational curricular. 

The event was organized by the 2017 Planning Committee together under the auspices of the Paramount Chief and prominent personalities of the Builsa Traditional Area. According to the committee, the launch will be climaxed in December 22, 2017 under the theme “Redefining Our Culture: 

The Path to Sustainable Unity and Development”.This year’s launch came much earlier to open up the focus of the feok Festival based on the chosen theme. 

Over the years, the celebration of the Feok Festival had been centered on the historical perspective of how Samori and Babatuu fought and won against their colonial masters upon arrival. 

Launching the event, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, Dr Pascal Baylon Atengdem described the theme for the celebration as appropriate because those are the things that move people beyond history. 

Dr. Atengdem stressed, that things that differentiate between people, are languages spoken, names, social institutions, stories, proverbs, dressing, music, drumming and dancing among others. 

He lamented that if these cultural values of the Builsa’s were changing and losing focus, the Builsa culture risk being extinct and everything possible must be done to preserve it except the barbaric ones. 

Dr. Atengdem indicated that, the Builsa’s have a rich culture and language is a key part of defining the people’s culture and if language dies, the culture dies as well. 

He added that it was necessary to start the process to get it being taught at the basic school level based on the principles of using the mother tongue. On the issue of the free Senior High School policy, 

Dr Atengdem said it was very sustainable and as a development sociologist, he believes money was not the issue but ideas. 

The sustainability of it is for people to believe that it is necessary to raise the level of basic education to secondary, thus from the Junior High School to Senior High. 

He cited India and China ruling the economy of the industrialized countries because of knowledge, adding that NASA will buy the best brain irrespective of where one comes from. 

Dr Atengdem therefore advised that education is life and therefore should not be politicized. A former member of the Council of State, His excellency Adenzi Kanga advocated for a site to be acquired for the construction of a cultural village, where all artefacts of the Builsa’s can be stored and learnt by teachers to be taught in schools. 

He pledged to sponsor key leaders of the Builsa communities across the country to come and contribute towards the proposed project. 

Activities lined-up for the three month celebration leading to map out potential tourist sites for development, cleaning exercise in Sandema and Fumbisi, a soccer fiesta, Queen Mother’s kitchen, Feok Awards night and launching of Educational Fund. 

The Paramount Queen Mother of the area, Poknab Atebalie said indigenous dishes and dress code will be expected especially young ladies in this year’s festival.