Media urged to Help promote the Development of Upper East Region- Regional Minister

UE Regional Minister Paulina Patience Abayage with the media at residency

One of the government’s social intervention programme that touches the heart of the people in the three regions of the north, especially the Upper East Region is Nana Addo’s Free Senior High School Policy. The free SHS is to provide opportunity for all to have access to education, at the SHS level.

There are still many parents who cannot afford for their children’s education especially in most rural communities in Ghana. This was disclosed by the Upper East Regional Minister, Paulina Patience Abayage, during an interaction with the media in Bolgatanga. 

A cross section of the media with the Minister at the residency

The interaction was to familiarized herself with the media and also announce her plans to develop the region as she takes the mantle of leadership as the first female to ascent the high office as the Upper East Region Minister. 

In a retrospective look, the Regional Minister re-countered how she suffered during her school days with her poor parents saying the President Nana Addo’s Free Senior High School policy is a panacea for the less privilege and brilliant children in the various communities to have secondary school education. 

Ms Abayage said her appointment by President Nana Addo is simply, asking her to come home as a daughter of the soil, help champion his vision of creating an optimistic self-confident and prosperous nation and for that matter, the rapid development of the Upper East Region. 

She cited the numerous social interventions of the government such as One-Village One-Dam, One-District One-Factory policy among others, linking the policy up to the defunct Meat and the Tomato Factories as against the irrigations system for One-Dam, One-Village. 

She indicated that, there is also a proposal before the minister of trade and industry by Professor Miller for a vegetable processing plant to be established. 

These laudable ideas, she added will help improve the lives of the people of the Upper East Region since the weather, soils and rainfall patterns are not the best. 

Ms Abayage stressed that, she is taking a critical look into all the ongoing development projects in the region and will move with the speed of wind to see their completion. 

She urged the media to give her their full support since she cannot do it all alone saying the media plays a crucial role when it comes to nation building and cautioned the media to be circumspect in their reportage. 

She stated that, continuously chinning out only the negative stories will not help us as a region. 

Ms Abayage said, as a home based woman, she is very conversant with the nook and cranny of the region and will leave no stone unturned by executing her duties as expected. 

Story by: GBC’s Emmanuel Akayeti

Lack of specific policy on organic agriculture –Research finding

Organic farm

A research finding by the Coalition for the Advancement of Organic Farming CAOF, a Non-governmental Organization NGO has revealed that in spite of the declaration by the African Union for all member countries to mainstream Ecological Organic Agriculture practices into national policies, Ghana had not yet developed a specific policy on organic agriculture. 

The CAOF which has a membership of 17 Non-Governmental Organizations, working closely with farmers in Ghana to promote organic farming in the country conducted the research on, “the Extent to which Organic Agriculture has been considered in current Government’s Agriculture Policies and Programmes in Ghana under the Appropriate Inputs and Certification for Organic Farming Project”, in some selected Districts in the Upper East and Northern Regions. 

Among some of the District the research was conducted included the Bongo District, Bolgatanga Municipal. Nabdam District, Talensi District, Bulisa South District, Bulisa North District, Garu/Tempane District, Binduri District, Kasena Nankana East District and Navrongo Municipal in the  Upper East Region. Others included the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District, Tamale Metropolis, East and West Mamprusi Districts and the Gushiegu/Karaga District in the Northern Region. 

Participants at the sensitization sharing the findings

The research was funded by the the Business Sector Advocacy Challenged (BUSAC) Fund and its development partners DANIDA, European Union and USAID, the research also  established that even though Ghana in recent times has formulated and implemented some policies, plans and programmes, there was no specific consideration of organic agriculture in such policies, plans and programmes. 

The research pointed out that, the Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy and Medium-Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan slightly mentioned organic agriculture and recognized the need for Ghana to own a policy on Ecological Organic Agriculture. 

It is also significant to note that Ghana has not yet developed a specific policy or plan on organic agriculture despite the declaration by the African Union which requires all member countries to mainstream Ecological Organic Agriculture practices into national policies by 2025. 

The research which was made known at separate sensitization forums in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions to share the findings also pointed out that the current government policies and plans such as the, Planting for Food and Jobs, One District One Factory, One Village, One Dam among others failed to prominently feature organic agriculture especially in terms of inputs support and certification. 

The research also revealed that organic agriculture practices in Ghana was considered to be mainly farmer and private sector initiative with no full-scale support from the government. 

The research indicated that, since the launch of the fertilizer subsidy programme in 2008 by the government, it was only in the 2016 and 2017 farming seasons that smaller quantity of organic fertilizer was considered under the programme. 

In terms of the Fertilizer Subsidy Program, there was evidence that pointed to the fact that fertilizer application among farmers increased from 8kg per hectare in 2008 to 12 kg per hectare in 2013. 

However it was only in the 2016 and 2017 farming seasons that smaller quantity of organic fertilizer was considered under the programme. 

The research further noted that even though through an FAO funded project, an Organic Desk was established at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture responsible for spearheading organic agriculture related activities, there was no specific Organic Agriculture Desk at the Departments of Food and Agriculture in seven districts and two regional MOFA offices that the   research contacted.  

The research pointed out that, private sector led initiative, to ensure that Ghana implements the African Union Declaration on Ecological Organic Agriculture was described as weak. Added to this was the fact that only a few private sector operators were aware of this declaration. 

It noted that even though the Ghana Standard Authority was in charge of standards and guiding organic certification, organic Codes of Practice and certification of organic produce, such mandate was still under review. 

The Coordinator of CAOF, Mr. Gerard Lapointe Agana explained that among the key objectives was to establish the extent to which organic agriculture has been considered in current government policies, plans and programmes on agriculture. 

He indicated that now the research had established the fact that to a very large extent, current government policies, plans and programmes on agriculture have not given considerations to organic agriculture; the findings would be used as an advocacy tool to engage policy makers and the government to give very serious attention to the sector. 

The Monitor of the BUSAC Fund, Mr Vincent Subbey in his contribution said the Coalition as a start, must embark on more sensitization and education of the populace on the importance of organic agriculture which will lead to organic movement and grassroots-based organic food production, consumption and marketing using local organic market outlets. 

He added that, this will assist especially smallholder farmers in converting to organic agriculture products and with increasing demand and patronage lobby government for legislation regarding organic inputs and certification.

Story by: GBC’s Emmanuel Akayeti

Sod Cut to Commission Facilities, Vehicles Presented to Bolga Poly in the UER

The main entrance of Bolgatanga Polytechnic

The relentless efforts of the current government in pushing through his policy of Technical and Vocational Education Training TVET, is the sure way to industrialize the country. 

This can be achieved if key players in the educational sector learnt their fullest support  to this laudable policy, Ghana can then give her young men and women  hands-on practical training with multi-dimensional skills, to follow the footsteps of the ancient tigers to arrest mother-Ghana from dashing her future hope to rocks. 

In the light of this, resource allocation plays a crucial role in building the capacities of the technical Institutions in the country and the Bolgatanga Polytechnic is no exception. 

It has, over the years given a number of projects which remain unknown to the public. 

The Rector B'Poly Prof. Alnaa, Prof. Yankah, Hon MP & Deputy AG J K Dindiok and Rtd R. Adjene

It is against this backdrop that, the Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education Professor Kwesi Yankah and the Deputy Attorney General, former lecturer and MP for Tempane have paid a working visit to the Bolgatanga Polytechnic (B’Poly), in the Upper East Region to commission a number of projects that B’Poly benefited from the Get-Fund, as she now awaits anxiously to be elevated to Technical University. 

Sod cutting to present four Vehicles  to B'Poly at the Sumbrungu Campus

The sod cutting ceremony which was performed by Professor Yankah, first saw the handing over of four vehicles; One Toyota Land Cruiser V8, Two Toyota Helix Pick-ups and One Toyota Hiace 15 setter Mini Bus to the polytechnic.

The Two story Hall of residence named after Rtd R. A Adjene

The second sod was cut to commission a two storey building Hall of residence constricted with the total cost of Two Million, Eight hundred and fifty-one thousand 002 Ghana cedis.  

2,851,002. It has 53 rooms, which can accommodate a total number of 212 students, four persons per room. 

The Two story building has been dedicated to the first Principal and retire educationist of the Bolgatanga Polytechnic Mr. Robert Adjene and named as “Robert Adjene Hall”.  

Mr. Adjene started the Bolgatanga Polytechnic in his old Mitsubishi up running around the Bolgatanga Municipality then a district, looking for a place to deliver for almost a year until its current birth place at the Sumburungu campus. He unveils a plague in his honor of the Hall of residence. 

The third facility commissioned was the students’ demonstration center SDC of the school constructed and furnished with executive suites at the cost of Seven hundred and thirty-four thousand, 505 Ghana cedis, and 75 persewas. 

The center is meant for the Hotel management and Catering Department student for their practical training. A plague was unveiled to commission the Student’s Demonstration Center.

In his opening remarks, Professor Yankah commended staff of the Polytechnic for the efforts made for the past one year towards the requirement placed ahead of them for the conversion of the Polytechnic to Technical University, by adding more facilities to the Polytechnic. 

Professor Kwesi Yankah Minister of State in charged of tertiary education 

In an interview with Radio Ghana, the Rector of the Bolgatanga Polytechnic Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa expressed appreciation for the vehicles saying it will help eased the transportation problems they were faced with in the administration of the school. 

The Rector of B'Poly Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa

Professor Alnaa stated that, the Minister’s visit was an opportunity to show case the school to the general public that they have what it takes to run all the courses of a Technical University and were poised for elevation. 

He indicated that 19 staff had gone in pursuit of their PHDs and that 10 are back, with the remaining 9 yet to join them. Professor Alnaa threw more light on the current state of the Polytechnic. 

A former lecturer of the school, Deputy AG and MP for Tempane, Hon. Josepne Dindiok Kpamka advised that all must come on board to make the school one of the enviable Technical Institutions in the country saying the much waited elevation of the school is almost at hand. 

The MP indicated that, the school needs to advertise to the general public or have documentary of it running in the media. 

Former lecturer of B'Poly, Deputy AG and MP for Tempane Hon. Joseph Kpemka Dindiok 

The Hon. Member of Parliament observed. From a humble beginning with some rough edges with one man, the Bolgatanga Polytechnic now stands a magnificent edifice well equipped with committed human resource; it is ready to deliver its quota to the development of mother Ghana. Like Nelson Mandale of South Africa did, the retired educationist Robert Adjene is now resting at home and still coaching. 

Story by : GBC’s  Emmanuel Akayeti

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.