Fifty parliamentary candidates have filed their nominations to contest in the 10 constituencies in the Upper West Region.
Out of the number, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the People’s National Convention (PNC) filed candidates in all the constituencies.
The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) will contest in six constituencies while the Convention People’s Party (CPP) will contest in nine. The CPP had all along indicated its readiness not to put up candidates in Sissla East and Sissala West which were being occupied by another Nkrumaist party, the PNC. However, after the close of nomination, the CPP had put up a candidate in Sissala West.
Only one person, namely Mr Issahaque Dapilah, a businessman, filed to contest as an independent candidate.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic later in Wa, the Upper West Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr Yahaya Mahama, said nobody was disqualified in the filing process as all the candidates met the EC's requirements.
He advised the political parties to educate their supporters to avoid acts of violence in the run-up to the elections. The Upper West Region had 10 constituencies, namely Wa Central, Wa West, Wa East, Nadowli West and Nadowli East. The rest are Jirapa, Lambussie, Lawra-Nandom, Sissala West and Sissala East.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
TRO-TRO SERVICE INTRODUCED IN WA (PAGE 20)
FOR the first time in the history of Wa, the capital of the Upper West Region, trotro service has been introduced in the municipality.
The development, for some people, is not new but for those of us working in the region, especially in Wa, this is big news. For the benefit of those who do not know, this is the only part of Ghana, where taxi services are for ‘dropping’ or chartering only.
Unlike Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and other parts of the country where one can pay 50Gp for a short distance, the reverse is the case in Wa.
The new development is the result of the increase in student population of the Faculty of Integrated Studies of the University for Development Studies (UDS).
Taxi drivers have had a field day charging exorbitant charges ranging from GH¢5 to GH¢10 because of the situation.
The hardships experienced by the students have compelled some kind-hearted individuals to put their Urvan buses at their service.
For a journey of about seven kilometres, that is, from downtown Wa to the new campus of the university, the Urvan buses charge a flat rate of 50Gp.
The gesture of the Urvan bus drivers has brought so much relief to the students that they are calling on more people to get into the trotro business in order to break the monopoly of the taxi drivers.
“Just as the introduction of the Metro Mass Transport broke the monopoly of the Neoplan buses, the same thing can be done by individual transport owners,” Stephen Ablekpe, a Level 100 student of the university told the Daily Graphic.
So far, only three of such Urvan buses are in the business. According to Mr Abu Issa, one of the drivers, more transport owners would soon join the fray.
He described the business as very lucrative, since he was able to break even with his daily sales.
“I use four gallons of petrol a day which amounts to about GH¢22, yet at the end of the day, my sales range between GH¢40 and GH¢50,” Mr Issa stated.
The establishment of the Wa Campus of the UDS is now being described as a blessing. Within a period of about five years, the infrastructural development in Wa Municipality can be described as encouraging.
With the support of the government, the quiet and relatively peaceful town of Wa would be emerging as one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the country.
Currently, a lot of people have invested in the building of hostels. But for their gesture, students would have found nowhere to lay their head. The speed at which some of those hostels are being constructed is phenomenal. Uncompleted houses have all of a sudden become beautiful edifices.
On average, a single room accommodates four students with each of them paying between GH¢150 and GH¢200 depending on the location and proximity to the scattered campuses.
Consequently, many rich people have emerged. One landlord who pleaded anonymity, said but for the coming of the students into the system, especially those in their first year, he never thought he could have continued work on his building, the construction of which had stalled for numerous reasons.
To all intents and purposes, the establishment of the Wa Campus of the UDS is contributing immensely to the urbanisation of Wa.
There is, therefore, the need to put in place measures to avert the attendant problems of urbanisation in this historic town.
The development, for some people, is not new but for those of us working in the region, especially in Wa, this is big news. For the benefit of those who do not know, this is the only part of Ghana, where taxi services are for ‘dropping’ or chartering only.
Unlike Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and other parts of the country where one can pay 50Gp for a short distance, the reverse is the case in Wa.
The new development is the result of the increase in student population of the Faculty of Integrated Studies of the University for Development Studies (UDS).
Taxi drivers have had a field day charging exorbitant charges ranging from GH¢5 to GH¢10 because of the situation.
The hardships experienced by the students have compelled some kind-hearted individuals to put their Urvan buses at their service.
For a journey of about seven kilometres, that is, from downtown Wa to the new campus of the university, the Urvan buses charge a flat rate of 50Gp.
The gesture of the Urvan bus drivers has brought so much relief to the students that they are calling on more people to get into the trotro business in order to break the monopoly of the taxi drivers.
“Just as the introduction of the Metro Mass Transport broke the monopoly of the Neoplan buses, the same thing can be done by individual transport owners,” Stephen Ablekpe, a Level 100 student of the university told the Daily Graphic.
So far, only three of such Urvan buses are in the business. According to Mr Abu Issa, one of the drivers, more transport owners would soon join the fray.
He described the business as very lucrative, since he was able to break even with his daily sales.
“I use four gallons of petrol a day which amounts to about GH¢22, yet at the end of the day, my sales range between GH¢40 and GH¢50,” Mr Issa stated.
The establishment of the Wa Campus of the UDS is now being described as a blessing. Within a period of about five years, the infrastructural development in Wa Municipality can be described as encouraging.
With the support of the government, the quiet and relatively peaceful town of Wa would be emerging as one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the country.
Currently, a lot of people have invested in the building of hostels. But for their gesture, students would have found nowhere to lay their head. The speed at which some of those hostels are being constructed is phenomenal. Uncompleted houses have all of a sudden become beautiful edifices.
On average, a single room accommodates four students with each of them paying between GH¢150 and GH¢200 depending on the location and proximity to the scattered campuses.
Consequently, many rich people have emerged. One landlord who pleaded anonymity, said but for the coming of the students into the system, especially those in their first year, he never thought he could have continued work on his building, the construction of which had stalled for numerous reasons.
To all intents and purposes, the establishment of the Wa Campus of the UDS is contributing immensely to the urbanisation of Wa.
There is, therefore, the need to put in place measures to avert the attendant problems of urbanisation in this historic town.
Friday, October 10, 2008
TECHNOSERVE SUPPORTS 240 FARMERS (PAGE 31)
Technoserve, an American non-governmental organisation, has supported 240 farmers in the Upper West Region with farming inputs this year.
The inputs, which include seeds, fertilisers and extension services, are to enable the farmers to plant maize, groundnut and soya bean.
Mr Tom Bonney, the Senior Project Manager of Technoserve, announced this at a farmers Field Day at Kpongu in the Wa Municipality.
He said the strategy was to facilitate the adoption of improved maize production technology among farmers.
He said farmers receiving the inputs support would also be assisted to market their produce through an inventory credit programme.
Mr Bonney said after demonstrating the productivity potential of "Mamaba," a new variety of maize, Technoserve intended to support selected seed growers to produce more seeds of the improved crop varieties to be supplied to farmers.
"We look at how best we can work with the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other institutions in this regard," he added.
Mr Bonney encouraged the farmer whose farm was used for the demonstration and those who had received input support to share their experiences with others.
For his part, the Food Aid Specialist of USAID, Mr Alfred Osei, urged farmers to adopt the new varieties and their accompanying production technologies in order to reap maximum benefits from their high yields and nutritional qualities.
"This is the time for Ghana to produce enough to take advantage of the increasing food prices," he stressed.
He thanked Technoserve and all their development partners for the continued support in addressing the food security needs of the people of the Upper West Region.
The inputs, which include seeds, fertilisers and extension services, are to enable the farmers to plant maize, groundnut and soya bean.
Mr Tom Bonney, the Senior Project Manager of Technoserve, announced this at a farmers Field Day at Kpongu in the Wa Municipality.
He said the strategy was to facilitate the adoption of improved maize production technology among farmers.
He said farmers receiving the inputs support would also be assisted to market their produce through an inventory credit programme.
Mr Bonney said after demonstrating the productivity potential of "Mamaba," a new variety of maize, Technoserve intended to support selected seed growers to produce more seeds of the improved crop varieties to be supplied to farmers.
"We look at how best we can work with the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other institutions in this regard," he added.
Mr Bonney encouraged the farmer whose farm was used for the demonstration and those who had received input support to share their experiences with others.
For his part, the Food Aid Specialist of USAID, Mr Alfred Osei, urged farmers to adopt the new varieties and their accompanying production technologies in order to reap maximum benefits from their high yields and nutritional qualities.
"This is the time for Ghana to produce enough to take advantage of the increasing food prices," he stressed.
He thanked Technoserve and all their development partners for the continued support in addressing the food security needs of the people of the Upper West Region.
Friday, October 3, 2008
NDC, NPP MUST DISCOURAGE SUPPORTERS FROM FIGHTING ...Bishop Arrongo urges (PAGE 13)
THE Anglican Bishop of Tamale Diocese, Right Reverend Emmanuel Arrongo, has called on leaders of the National Democratic congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to discourage their followers from fighting and accusing each other.
This, he said, was because none of them would be vindicated, since there would be no third party to act as witness in such cases.
He made the call at the fifth diocesan synod of the church in Wa in the Upper West Region.
Right Reverend Arrongo observed that the behaviour of the two parties was not helpful and did not teach the youth good public behaviour.
"The two parties should publicly and sincerely pledge never to crash each other,” he added.
Quoting Matthew chapter 26 verse 52, he pointed out that when Jesus Christ was under threat and Saint Peter wanted to defend, Him "our Lord commanded him to stop for peace to prevail. Put your sword back in place, for all who draw the sword, will die by the sword".
"This is the mark of a leader who is sincere and serious about what he says and about his mission. It is high time our leaders were sincere and serious about their mission and what they say. Action speaks louder than words," he stressed.
The Anglican Bishop charged all political parties, candidates of parties and independent candidates to avoid name calling, insinuations, insults and all kinds of cynical behaviour during their campaign sessions.
Bishop Arrongo further passionately appealed to politicians to be law-abiding, honest to themselves and have the political will to reprimand their supporters, adding that "politicians, particularly those who have nothing to offer, should leave us alone in peace and nothing should be done to cause trouble".
He condemned politicians who encouraged minors to register and yet turned round later to accuse the Electoral Commission of allegedly bloating the voters register.
This, he said, was because none of them would be vindicated, since there would be no third party to act as witness in such cases.
He made the call at the fifth diocesan synod of the church in Wa in the Upper West Region.
Right Reverend Arrongo observed that the behaviour of the two parties was not helpful and did not teach the youth good public behaviour.
"The two parties should publicly and sincerely pledge never to crash each other,” he added.
Quoting Matthew chapter 26 verse 52, he pointed out that when Jesus Christ was under threat and Saint Peter wanted to defend, Him "our Lord commanded him to stop for peace to prevail. Put your sword back in place, for all who draw the sword, will die by the sword".
"This is the mark of a leader who is sincere and serious about what he says and about his mission. It is high time our leaders were sincere and serious about their mission and what they say. Action speaks louder than words," he stressed.
The Anglican Bishop charged all political parties, candidates of parties and independent candidates to avoid name calling, insinuations, insults and all kinds of cynical behaviour during their campaign sessions.
Bishop Arrongo further passionately appealed to politicians to be law-abiding, honest to themselves and have the political will to reprimand their supporters, adding that "politicians, particularly those who have nothing to offer, should leave us alone in peace and nothing should be done to cause trouble".
He condemned politicians who encouraged minors to register and yet turned round later to accuse the Electoral Commission of allegedly bloating the voters register.
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