Referendum We Want Forum Organized UER-NORSAAC

The two referenda proposed to be organized in the country, to herald the creation of an additional 6 more regions and also to initiate the elections of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives MMDCEs are almost at hand. 

Yet, with barely two months to the referendum for the new regions creation, much information has not been given out to the citizens especially the three northern Regions of Ghana. 

It is against this backdrop that, “NORSAAC”- an empowerment for change organisation working for and with women and young people has organized a day’s forum, at the In-Service Training Center of the Ghana Health Service in Bolgatanga, to sensitized Civil Society Organisation CSOs on the impending referendum slated to take place on the 27^th of December 2018.

A cross section of the stakeholders at the forum

The meeting brought together about 30 key stakeholders drawn from civil Society Organisation CSOs, Traditional Authorities, National Commission for Civic Education, NCCE, National Association of Graduate Teachers NAGRAT, and the Electoral Commission EC among others. 

The aim was to deliberate on the crucial role the three northern regions will play, as evidence gathering points for drawing on issues and engaging selected institutions and policy makers at the national level for responses and influence. 

Mr, Alhassan Mohammed Awal Exercutive Director of NORSAAC

Speaking to GBC Online, the Executive Director of NOASAAC Alhassan Mohammed Awal said that, the forum was to afford citizens the opportunity to contribute in deepening the democratic practice in Ghana, as it seeks to generate citizen’s interest and duty bearer’s response on the operations of an entrenched clause in the 1992 constitution. 

Mr Awal noted that since the inception of the 1992 constitution, many Ghanaians have not had any experience of participating in such a democratic exercise. 

He indicated that, interest groups may not understand what goes in to the creation of a region and the socio-economic analysis. 

He added that if citizens are not given enough education, government and related duty-bearers may take advantage of their uninformed position and flaunt the laws, act adversary or even politicised the processes that must be followed in this important national assignment to have regions created in a democratic manner.  

Mr Awal further explained that, taking into consideration the financial cost of the exercise, it imperative for leaders and institutions to be very circumspect in protecting the national purse by educating the citizenry to cooperate fully in the exercise so as to achieve the desired results. 


The Acting Gender and Governance Manager of NORSAAC Yeri Nancy stated that, the project is to strengthen the capacity of 80 CSOs and membership organisations from the three regions of the North, plan and engage relevant state and non-state actors towards a popular; citizen-led Referendum exercise in 2019, increase the voice and participation of Ghanaian citizens in the referendum processes and  the responsiveness of the relevant state institutions and Commissions to embrace citizens concerns as well as secure the inclusion of women, the youth and minorities in the composition of structures for the referendum exercise. 

Ms Nancy gave the vision as society in which everyone enjoys theirs rights and lives a life of dignity. On the mission, she said that, the organization is to work with communities and community-based structures and like-minded organizations to build the capacity of community members and affected groups to enjoy their rights and live a life of dignity, adding that they operate in the area of Gender and Governance, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, Livelihood and Education.  

Panel discussion led by the Acting  Gender and Governance Manager of NORSAAC 

During a panel discussing, led by The Acting Gender and Governance Manager of NORSAAC, a representative of NAGRAT John Akonzebe was very emphatic that his members were not informed of such crucial national exercise and cautioned that if care was not taken, it could lead to an exercise of futility. 

An Electoral Officer from The Electoral Commission EC Adenze Henry Agabil indicated that, as part of their mandate, the EC will  open the voter register in the affected areas for revision exercise since from 2016 to 2018, some young people might turned 18 years whiles some too might have died. 

This he said will enable the EC to update the register for those qualified to take part in the impending referenda.

Local Government Committee Pays a Working Visit to Upper East Region

Three of the eight committee members interacting with the press

            

The Parliamentary Select Committee in charge of Local Government and Rural Development, with over sight responsibilities of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies MMDCEs has paid a working visit to the Upper East Region. 

The eight member committee’s concern is to ascertain, the operations of the MMDCEs in the disbursement of the District Assembly common Fund DACF, the District Development Fund DDF, the Disability Fund, the Internal Generated Fund IGF and Sanitation issues. 

This is to enable the committee make recommendations and forward a report to parliament for further deliberations to ensure effective and efficient use of monies release by central government to the various MMDCEs for developmental purposes. 

Nine out of the fifteen Municipal and District Assemblies in the Upper East Region have been visited so far.

Chairman of the Committee Hon Benjamin Yeboah Sekyere MP for Tano South 

 In an interview with Radio Ghana the chairman of Local Government Select committee, Benjamin Yeboah Sekyere, MP for Tano South indicated that on the DACF, the funds are been utilized as per the rules and regulations. 

He however lamented that, findings on the Internal Generated Fund IGF was disappointing saying the MDAs have a lot of buildings and telecos mast that they can make enough money for the development of their various MDA yet they are waiting for DACF. 

He said, the Assemble receives about Two hundred thousand Ghana cedis a year which quite huge but they end up spending about 80 percent of their money on recurrent expenditure. 

That is on allowances and others and 20 percent on capital expenditure to the detriment of the people instead of varying the formula. 

On the area of the Disability Fund, The chairman revealed that, there was no any release in 2016, it was 2017 that government disbursed the disability funds to the Assemblies and 2018 as well. 

Some he said received about One hundred and 99 thousand Ghana cadis GHC 199.00, while others had One hundred and 55 thousand Ghana cedis. 

Hon. Sekyere stressed that, these monies are lodge in the various assemblies accounts, not being disbursed yet there are a piled of names of persons with disabilities PWDs in need of the monies. 

The Assemblies he said claimed, they are waiting for the PWDs to apply before and that some have applied but they have not being able to set on it. 

The Honorable Member of Parliament said that, the DF is for building the capacity of PWDs such as giving PWDs skills training with start-up kits, acquiring them ruminants for rearing and not to be giving stipends for feeding. 

The idea he said is for them to grow and be self reliant. He expressed worry on the health of people, regarding sanitation in some MDAs where human excreta were siphoned from septic and apply directly on the farms to grow water million and other vegetables for consumption. 

Hon Samuel Atta Mills MP for KEEA

A member of the committee and MP for Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem KEEA, Samuel Atta Mills in the Central region, stated that, in some the of MDAs, there are a lot of management problems, some people are holding positions they do not have the requisite knowledge. 

The MP further indicated that, as a country there is the need to stop the idea of keep transferring non performing Ministers and hire qualified and competent people to run the affairs of the country. 

The Honorable MP said that, from his observation so far, he will opt for the election of MMDCEs rather appointment because a government cannot perform irrespective of whichever party that is in power when the MMDCEs are non performing.

Story by: GBCs Emmanuel Akayetis

End Preventable deaths of new borns and children under 5 by 2030-GHS

 The Ghana Health Service and its partners have developed a rubella-measles containing vaccines that can eliminate the two viruses, as well as communicable diseases  in line with the Sustainable Development Goal SDGs and the achievement of the Universal Health Coverage UHC, by the year 2030. 

The vaccines are to be administered concurrently with the Vitamin A Supplementations to children from 9 to 59 months or under 5 years. 

These were made known at this year’s launch of the measles-rubella and Vitamin A Campaign at the In Service Training Center of the Ghana Health Service, Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. It was under the theme “Measles and Rubella kills: Vaccinate your child for good life”. 

Within Ghana, measles outbreak continues to be reported in certain areas and it has been revealed that, a certain number of cases where people were tested negative for measles, a good number of such cases were rubella positive. 

This together with the open nature of Ghana which lends itself to potential imported cases requires a continuous mob up vaccinations exercise to keep the two diseases at bay. 

Dr. Windfred Ofosu Regional director Ghana Health Service Upper East Region

Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service GHS Dr. Windfred Ofosu said, the nationwide exercise which is expected to commerce on the 17^th to 22^nd of October 2018 will only be successful if all eligible children within the Upper East Region are well mobiles for the vaccination against the antigens and needed the concerted efforts of all. 

He further stated that, the horrible news of measles in those days before the advent of the vaccines is now a thing of the past. Dr, Ofosu indicated that, rubella is quite known to us especially when it affects pregnant women at the early stages, the babies develop abnormalities. 

Measles and rubella are contagious viral diseases and they remain the cause of death and congenital abnormalities among children globally. 

He emphasized that, though measles deaths have reduced drastically by 84 percent worldwide, the disease is still common in many developing countries saying during the first half of the year, 22 suspected cases were recorded but none was positive. 

Under the Global Vaccine Action Plan GVAP, measles and rubella have been targeted for elimination in five World Health Organization WHO regions by the year 2020 and this year’s campaign is geared to the towards the set time  Dr Ofosu explained how the exercises will help save the lives of our children.  

It is important for all parents, guardians and all caregivers to avail their children who fall within the age brackets this opportunity to secure them against the burden of disease, disability and death from the scourge of measles and rubella.

Smallholder Women Farmers Conference Held in Upper East Region

Three representatives from Upper East, Upper West and Brong Ahafo Regions expressing their frustrations

Lack of good roads, transportation, storage facilities, standards of measurement, packaging and labeling and the harassment of Fulani herdsmen are some of the problems bedeviling Smallholder Women Farmers in rural Ghana especially the three northern regions of the country. 

These revelations were made known by some of the women farmers at this year’s Smallholder Women Farmer’s Conference held the Catholic Social Center Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. It was organized by ActionAid Ghana and its development partners. 

The conference which forms part of activities marking the United Nation’s International Day of Rural Women, was under the theme “Enhancing market access for rural women and local producers Lets end gender-based violence now”. 

The Day is observed on the 15^th of October every year in recognition of the role women play in the support of their communities. 

A cross section of the participants

Smallholder Women Farmers groups from the Upper East, West, Volta, Brong Ahafo and Northern Regions participated. The aim of the conference is to promote climate resilient agriculture, women’s market access and economic empowerment. 

The Smallholder Women Farmers’ Conference is one of the events of ActionAid Ghana that marks the most important national programmers in the women’s rights interventions. 

It underscores commitment to women empowerment, gender parity and equal representation for women in decision making at all levels of development. 

The over one hundred and 17 women at the conference were part of a larger national movement of more than ten thousand smallholder women farmers, processors and women-led businesses drawn from ActionAid operational areas. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana, The Programs coordinator of ActionAid Ghana in charge of Promoting Opportunities for Women Empowerment and Rights, POWER initiative Azumi Mesuna said the conference is also to help address the challenges facing smallholder women farmers SWF in Ghana.

 She indicated that ActionAid Ghana works with people living in poverty and are excluded, especially women, girls and young people towards a vision of just, equitable and sustainable world where every person enjoys the right  to life of dignity, freedom from poverty and all forms of oppression. 

The Programs Officer of ActionAid Ghana Juliet Adam stated that ActionAid works with over thousand smallholder women farmers in their operational areas, the women farmers are not benefiting from the government flagship program, planting for food and Jobs. 

Hon. Frank Fuseini Adongo  Acting Upper East Regional Minister

In his address, the Acting Upper East Regional Minister Hon. Frank Fuseini Adongo indicated that Ghana has about 52 percent of her population being women and those engage in farming; contribute significantly to sustainable  food security in the country. 

He said the crucial role women and girls play in our various households in the communities cannot be quantified yet they suffer disproportionately in the rural areas from multi-dimensional poverty, saying that more needs to be done. 

The Minister stated that that, the government is considering the Social Protection Bill to be worked on. 

He said, the  Ghana National Household Registry GNHR of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection  has conducted a survey in the region to ascertain the socio-economic status of people especially women who constitute the most vulnerable in the country.

Story by : GBC’s Emmanuel akayeti

UE/R Three Tourist Sites Earmarked for Development

Pictorial tourist site in Bolgatanga

Three tourist sites the PagaZeng and the Chief Crocodile Ponds, the Pikoro Slave Camp and the TenzugSharine have been earmarked for development in the Upper East Region. 

A memorandom of understanding has been signed by between the the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Paga Traditional Authority and the Kassena Nankana West District Assembly, for development work to start at the Zenga Crocodile Pond. 

This forms part of the thirty-three tourist sites identified country wide for upgrading and management improvement, by the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture in collaboration with the Ghana Touriest Authority GTA. 

This came to light during a day’s lecture marking the celebrations of this year’s United Nations World Tourism Day UNWTD in Bolgatanga. It was under the theme “Tourism and Digital Transformation”.

A cross section of  the stakeholders at the Lecture in Bolgatanga 

 About 30 key stakeholders drawn from the various hospitality industries participated. They were taken through the evolution of the Tourism industry and the need for digital transformation taking cognizance of some of the traditional belief systems in the region, if the tourism sector must survive a continues and inclusive growth in line with the sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

 Tourism is a significant contributor to the economic growth and development in Ghana, a major source of employment, foreign exchange and government revenue. 

The 2017 publication of the United Nations World Tourism Organization UNWTO, indicates a higher growth in international arrival in seven years since 2010, with the rise of 6.8% as against its long-term projections of 3.6 % per year, for a period 2010/2020.

Upper East Regional Director of Ghana Tourism Authority Mr. Henry Yeledour speaking at the lecture

 

Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Upper East Regional Director of Ghana Tourism Authority GTA Henry Yeleduor stated that, the theme was a unique opportunity to raise the awareness on the potential contribution of digital technology, to sustainable development, provide a platform for investment, partnership and collaboration towards a more responsible and inclusive tourism sector. 

He indicated that the region is no exception of the exponential growth of Tourism sector and has recorded a positive expansion over the years. 

He indicated that, tourist attraction such the Pagazenga and chief Crocodile Ponds, the Pikoro Slave Camp, Tenzugshrine, the Sirigu Women Organization in Pottery and Art SWOPA, the Bolgatanga Craft Village and other Heritage Sites continue to attract tourist to the region in spite of the infrastructural and logistical constrains. 

He emphasized further that, there are a growing numbers of decent and welcoming hospitality industry, with luxurious accommodation facilities and welcoming services to the ever increasing number of visitors to the Upper East Region. 

He added that, there was the need to improve access to good facilities and service delivery to meet and exceed guest expectations of by the provision of basic facilities such as visitor’s information offices and washrooms to tourist sites. 

Mr. Yeleduor spoke on his plans to improve tourist attraction in the Upper East Region. 

Chairman and Bon-Naba Baba Salifu Atamale Lemyaarum Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area

The Chairman for the occasion Bon-naba Baba Salifu Atamale Lemyaarum Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, explained the role of the media in the promotion of tourism vis a vie culture and digital transformation, saying in his traditional area, the media has been used to show case the tourist attraction in Bongo. He said digital transformation should not totally over shadow the cultural practices.  Madam Eva Agana Mmmah of Miller Open University threw more light on tourism, business and culture, making all stands as a priority. A retired lecturer of the Bolgatanga Polytechnic Dr James Akamboi Aeribasi gave his view on tourism in modernity. Digitally advanced tourism sector can improve entrepreneurship, local community empowerment and efficient resource management. It gives us the impetus to understand the growing economic, societal and environmental impacts of technology. 

Droughts Tolerant, Striga and Root rot Resistant Cowpea Varieties Certified by NVRRC in Bawku

Dr Kusi on field inspection with the National Varietal Release Registration Committee NVRRC

 Cowpea is a potential food security crop that plays vital role in the food value chain as a cheap source of plant protein, vitamins and minerals. 

It is one of the major and most common leguminous grains that complement staple starchy food consumed in the diet by children, youth and adults across rural and urban communities in Ghana. Over 70% of Ghana’s population consumes cowpea in different forms food. 

Despite consumer demand for cowpea, production is still low and largely restricted to the three northern regions, with an average farm yield of about o.4 to o.6 tone per hector as compare to achievable yield of about 1.6 to 2.5 tons per hector. 

In line with this, a day’s assessment meeting has been organized at the Manga Agriculture Station, Bawku for the certification process. 

Members of the  National Varietal Release Registration Committee in the certification process

The relentless efforts of research scientist to find an innovative means by  adapting  to an improved variety of seed, that can withstand climate change, improved yield and soil to help avert the perennial loses of farmers, has made yet another progress. 

The National Varietal Release Registration Committee NVRRC in collaboration with the University of Cape Coast UCC, lead Institution through the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CSIR, Savanna Agriculture Research Institute SARI, University of Virginia, USA and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture MoFA has again certified another three droughts tolerant, striga and root rot resistant varieties of cowpea. 

This brings the number of improved certified cowpea to eight 8 since 2016 to date. The certification meeting was organized by SARI, Manga under the sponsorship of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for food and Agriculture ITPGRFA and Food and Agriculture Organization FAO.

Dr. Francis Kusi an entomologist in charge of Manga station -Bawku

Speaking to Radio Ghana, an entomologist and field officer 2 in charge of the Northern Sector Dr. Francis Kusi indicated that, Ghana still produces less cowpea than could meet consumer need and the deficit is filled by importation from neighboring countries. 

He attributed the low production to factors such as biotic and abiotic stresses, lack of high yielding varieties, poor agronomic practices and underutilization of land and space in productive agro-ecological zones. 

Dr. Kusi stated that, on-farm conservation, the crop is challenged by the parasitic weed Striga gesneroides Sg infestation resulting in up to about 100% yield losses in the three regions of northern Ghana. 

Dr F Kusi  with the NVRRC members explaining how the Cowpea can suppress striga

He explained further that, the effect of the parricides, rust and viral diseases coupled with drought on yield loss of cowpea contribute to hunger and poverty among resource poor families in rural and urban communities. 

He said that, the unreliable cultural practices to control striga, rust and viruses as well as drought necessitated the exploitation of resistant genes, involving the application of marker assisted selection protocols for genomics analysis, coupled with field evaluation of cowpea genotypes. 

The coastal savannah agro-ecology has been exploited for the production of cowpea since rainfall pattern favor two times cultivation of the crop in a year. 

He added that cowpea germplasm were obtained from SARI, CSIR and local farmers in Ashanti Regions of Ghana and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture IITA Ibadan Nigeria. He said farmers adapting to the improved variety, will increase cowpea production by 30%. 

This will not only provide affordable protein-rich foods but also create jobs to generate incomes to improve livelihoods. Plant breeders will also make use of available cowpea genetic resources tor continues improvement of the crop to sustain its industry in Ghana. 

Dr. Kusi explained the economic value of cowpea as two times profitable and more nutritious than other cereal crops since plant protein is preferred to animal protein. 

Professor Aaron Tettey Asare  UCC Principal Inverstigator

The Principal investigator and Project Manager University of Cape Coast Head of Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Professor Aaron Tettey Asare said that eight genotype of cowpea are being exhibited for inspection and four out of the eight are resistant to all racist of striga in West Africa. 

The other four he added that are resistant to all except one a racist in Benin called la pota that is susceptible too. These varieties he said are not only for farmers to cultivate, but for further improvement in order to sustain the cowpea industry in Ghana.

Story by: GBC's Emmanuel Akayeti

akayeti16@gmail.com