THE Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Mali has introduced 18 varieties of millet to farmers in the Upper West Region.
The varieties are to motivate farmers to choose the high yielding ones which are more beneficial than the local millet.
The Head of the Wa Station of SARI, Dr Jesse Naab, disclosed this during a field day organised for selected 60 farmers to evaluate the varieties.
He said the best five varieties to be selected would be further evaluated next farming season and three eventually selected for multiplication and division.
“Preliminary observation showed that one variety flowered in 30 days, 10 between 60 and 65 days and seven between 65 and 77 days. The local variety that flowered early did so in 65 days while the late local variety flowered in approximately 90 days,” he stated.
Dr Naab said the use of participatory variety selection approaches could ensure that improved varieties got to farmers within two seasons.
He said the first two seasons would be used for the observation and selection of desirable genotypes.
“These genotypes could then be multiplied, possibly under irrigation during the off-season and made available for planting during the third season,” Dr Naab said.
He said it was not likely that a variety would be found with the full complement of the characteristics desired by the farmers, adding, “Whatever complementary characteristics that would be found in a particular variety, high potential cannot be sacrificed”.
Dr Naab said most of the constraints facing farmers in the production of millet in the region would be addressed through the recommendation of varieties with the desirable characteristics while others such as declining soil fertility and rainfall pattern would be tackled through extension of fertility improvement and time of planting respectively.
He said a baseline survey of millet production in the region showed that all the local millet varieties took between five to six months to mature, and as a result, farmers had stressed the need for earlier maturing varieties with high yields.
Millet is an important food crop in households in northern Ghana, with more than 90 per cent of the annual cultivated area in the three northern regions getting planted with the crop.
The Upper West Region runs second in the production of millet after Northern Region and contributes about 12.5 per cent of national output.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
DEBATE FOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS ... In Upper West Region (page 11, oct 28)
THE Centre for People’s Empowerment and Rights (CPRI), a local non-governmental organisation based in Wa, with the support of Basic Needs Ghana, has organised a debate for selected senior high schools (SHSs) in the Upper West Region to mark this year’s mental health day.
The schools, T.I. Ahmaddiyya, Wa SHS and Islamic SHS, entertained the audience in their attempt to win the competition. The fourth school, Saint Francis Xavier Minor Seminary, failed to turn up.
The topics were “mentally ill and epileptic persons are a nuisance and should be left to their own fate” and “resources for the treatment of mentally ill and epileptic persons should be devoted to other productive ventures”.
Due to the absence of Saint Francis Xavier, the organisers awarded prizes ranging from textbooks in mathematics, social studies, English language and Integrated Science to all the three participating schools.
The best three debators, namely Shaibu Samed, Nasiatu Adams from T.I. Ahmaddiyya and Zakaria Fatahia of Islamic SHS, were also given individual awards.
In a brief address after the competition, the executive director of CPRI, Mr Anacletus Begyetenye, touched on some major causes of mental disorders and epilepsy, and therefore advised Ghanaians not to neglect relations who suffered from these diseases since they could be very productive in society when they were managed.
“We are all potential victims of mental illness so lets us all support our unfortunate ones who have the disease”, he added
The schools, T.I. Ahmaddiyya, Wa SHS and Islamic SHS, entertained the audience in their attempt to win the competition. The fourth school, Saint Francis Xavier Minor Seminary, failed to turn up.
The topics were “mentally ill and epileptic persons are a nuisance and should be left to their own fate” and “resources for the treatment of mentally ill and epileptic persons should be devoted to other productive ventures”.
Due to the absence of Saint Francis Xavier, the organisers awarded prizes ranging from textbooks in mathematics, social studies, English language and Integrated Science to all the three participating schools.
The best three debators, namely Shaibu Samed, Nasiatu Adams from T.I. Ahmaddiyya and Zakaria Fatahia of Islamic SHS, were also given individual awards.
In a brief address after the competition, the executive director of CPRI, Mr Anacletus Begyetenye, touched on some major causes of mental disorders and epilepsy, and therefore advised Ghanaians not to neglect relations who suffered from these diseases since they could be very productive in society when they were managed.
“We are all potential victims of mental illness so lets us all support our unfortunate ones who have the disease”, he added
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
EMULATE EXAMPLE OF FOREIGN VOLUNTEERS (PAGE 16, OCT 27)
The District Chief Executive for Nadowli in the Upper West Region, Mr Abu Kasangbata, has called on Ghanaian youth to emulate the examples of overseas volunteers who accept postings to rural and deprived communities in the country.
He observed that most of these foreign volunteers had left the luxuries of life in their various countries and accepted to work in deprived areas in the country, where majority of Ghanaians refused to live and work.
“It is on this premise that I advise national service persons not to refuse postings to deprived communities since such conduct would not help accelerate national development,” he added.
The Nadowli DCE was speaking at a send-off durbar for an American Peace Corps volunteer, Miss Erin Milner, at Fian in the Nadowli District.
Miss Milner, who is known as Tampianaa in the locality, is leaving after a two-year stay in the community.
Through her efforts the community now has a vibrant co-operative credit union and a shea-butter processing machine.
Mr Kasangbata described the volunteer as a committed young lady who defied all odds to stay in Fian where there was no electricity and other amenities.
He said the work of Miss Milner would not be in vain as she would forever be remembered for her dedication and commitment which made her the toast of the people of Fian.
“On behalf of the people of the district I wish you a safe journey back home and want to assure you that we would continue to have fond memories of your stay in Fian,” he stated
He used the opportunity to inform the people that work to connect the town to the national grid would commence in December this year.
Mr Kasangbata said the Nadowli District Assembly would work hard to provide the needed support to all communities in the district.
He said he was not happy about the activities of the Fulani herdsmen in the district and indicated that a census would be conducted to know the number of the herdsmen operating in the area.
The chief of Fian, Naa Bambie Baping, called on the government to post trained teachers to the area in order raise the standard of education.
He thanked Miss Milner for her support and expressed the hope that other volunteers who would be posted to the area would also work with the same commitment.
For her part, Miss Milner, commended the community for their assistance and co-operation during her two year’s stay in the community.
He observed that most of these foreign volunteers had left the luxuries of life in their various countries and accepted to work in deprived areas in the country, where majority of Ghanaians refused to live and work.
“It is on this premise that I advise national service persons not to refuse postings to deprived communities since such conduct would not help accelerate national development,” he added.
The Nadowli DCE was speaking at a send-off durbar for an American Peace Corps volunteer, Miss Erin Milner, at Fian in the Nadowli District.
Miss Milner, who is known as Tampianaa in the locality, is leaving after a two-year stay in the community.
Through her efforts the community now has a vibrant co-operative credit union and a shea-butter processing machine.
Mr Kasangbata described the volunteer as a committed young lady who defied all odds to stay in Fian where there was no electricity and other amenities.
He said the work of Miss Milner would not be in vain as she would forever be remembered for her dedication and commitment which made her the toast of the people of Fian.
“On behalf of the people of the district I wish you a safe journey back home and want to assure you that we would continue to have fond memories of your stay in Fian,” he stated
He used the opportunity to inform the people that work to connect the town to the national grid would commence in December this year.
Mr Kasangbata said the Nadowli District Assembly would work hard to provide the needed support to all communities in the district.
He said he was not happy about the activities of the Fulani herdsmen in the district and indicated that a census would be conducted to know the number of the herdsmen operating in the area.
The chief of Fian, Naa Bambie Baping, called on the government to post trained teachers to the area in order raise the standard of education.
He thanked Miss Milner for her support and expressed the hope that other volunteers who would be posted to the area would also work with the same commitment.
For her part, Miss Milner, commended the community for their assistance and co-operation during her two year’s stay in the community.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
GOVERNING COUNCIL EVALUATES APRM PROGRAMME (PAGE 31, OCT 20)
THE National African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Governing Council has begun a nationwide exercise to monitor and evaluate the APRM programme.
In puruance of this, 20 districts, including Wa West and Jirapa in the Upper West Region, have been selected for the exercise.
The Executive Secretary of the Governing Council, Dr Francis Appiah, explained that the districts were selected as a result of the dynamism and commitment to the peer review mechanism.
He said the introduction of the APRM into the decentralisation process was very unique as it was owned by the people.
He was speaking at a validation workshop for Wa West Oversight Committee of the APRM at Wechiau, the district capital.
He said the APRM had come to the conclusion that for any country to develop, four thematic areas, including good governance, good economic policies, conducive environment for business and good standard of living such as electricity, education, health, among others, must be pursued.
He said come December this year, a national validation workshop would be held in Accra to put all the report collated from the 20 selected district together and presented to the President in January.
Dr Appiah was happy that the report of the oversight committee was non-partisan,and thus commended the committee for a good job done.
The District Chief Executive (DCE),Mr Seidu Tungbani, noted that the establishment of the District Oversight Committee would have significant impact on the decentralisation process.
He said the district was a peaceful one, without any traits of insecurity.
Presenting the report, the acting Secretary of the committee, Mr Crispin Yango, said during the collectin of data, it was revealed that the police, district assembly revenue collectors, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service were the most corrupt institutions, while the least corrupt ones were Information Services Department, Department of Social Welfare, Birth and Death Registry, among others.
He said respondents to a questionnaire on the ability to vote in national elections still believed that threats and intimidation by some politicians contributed significantly to low turnouts during elections.
The respondents, he said, suggested that the village development committees should replace the unit committees, because many of the unit committees were not fully composed as people were no longer putting themselves up for elections because of the voluntary nature of the work.
In puruance of this, 20 districts, including Wa West and Jirapa in the Upper West Region, have been selected for the exercise.
The Executive Secretary of the Governing Council, Dr Francis Appiah, explained that the districts were selected as a result of the dynamism and commitment to the peer review mechanism.
He said the introduction of the APRM into the decentralisation process was very unique as it was owned by the people.
He was speaking at a validation workshop for Wa West Oversight Committee of the APRM at Wechiau, the district capital.
He said the APRM had come to the conclusion that for any country to develop, four thematic areas, including good governance, good economic policies, conducive environment for business and good standard of living such as electricity, education, health, among others, must be pursued.
He said come December this year, a national validation workshop would be held in Accra to put all the report collated from the 20 selected district together and presented to the President in January.
Dr Appiah was happy that the report of the oversight committee was non-partisan,and thus commended the committee for a good job done.
The District Chief Executive (DCE),Mr Seidu Tungbani, noted that the establishment of the District Oversight Committee would have significant impact on the decentralisation process.
He said the district was a peaceful one, without any traits of insecurity.
Presenting the report, the acting Secretary of the committee, Mr Crispin Yango, said during the collectin of data, it was revealed that the police, district assembly revenue collectors, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service were the most corrupt institutions, while the least corrupt ones were Information Services Department, Department of Social Welfare, Birth and Death Registry, among others.
He said respondents to a questionnaire on the ability to vote in national elections still believed that threats and intimidation by some politicians contributed significantly to low turnouts during elections.
The respondents, he said, suggested that the village development committees should replace the unit committees, because many of the unit committees were not fully composed as people were no longer putting themselves up for elections because of the voluntary nature of the work.
Monday, October 19, 2009
RESIST SEXUAL HARASSMENT FROM BOSSES — FATI SEIDU (PAGE 11, OCT 17)
The Second National Trustee of the Public Service Workers Union (PSWU), Miss Fati Seidu Tambro, has condemned male bosses who sexually harass their female subordinates, urging victims not to hesitate to report such officers to higher authorities.
Speaking at this year’s Upper West Regional conference of the women’s wing of the PSWU in Wa, Ms Tambro asked the participants to resist any advances and temptations by their bosses in exchange for promotions and monetary rewards.
She said women trade unionists should show confidence in all their endeavours, adding that confidence was the hallmark of successes in life and therefore “as unionists you must make it part of your daily activities”.
She noted that sexual harassment had severe consequences on the progress of organisations, and that it was time for women and trade unionists to open a new chapter in their struggle by doing away with negative tendencies that undermined their efforts to move to the top.
According to the online Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, often, sexual harassment incidents fell into the category of the "merely annoying."
However, many situations can, and do, have life-altering effects particularly when they involve severe/chronic abuses, and/or retaliation against a victim who does not submit to the harassment, or who complains about it openly
It includes a range of behaviour from seemingly mild transgressions and annoyances to actual sexual abuse or sexual assault. For many businesses, preventing sexual harassment, and defending employees from sexual harassment charges, have become key goals of legal decision-making.
Miss Tambro was happy that organised labour, with the government and other stakeholders had drawn up a road map for the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) and the three tier pension scheme to commence in January next year.
She expressed the hope that the implementation of these two major schemes would improve the conditions of workers.
She congratulated members of the union for their support and advised them to be part of the organisation’s decision-making process through regular contributions on issues affecting workers.
The regional women’s chairperson, Madam Elizabeth Addole, commended the PSWU for establishing an early childhood centre for working mothers in the Wa municipality.
She said as part of the action plan of the women’s wing of the PSWU, training programmes were to be organised for members at least once a year to upgrade their skills to enable them to venture into any economic activity.
The Upper West Regional Industrial Relations Officer of the PSWU, Mr William Adi, advised the participants to remain steadfast and resolute in whatever they do.
Speaking at this year’s Upper West Regional conference of the women’s wing of the PSWU in Wa, Ms Tambro asked the participants to resist any advances and temptations by their bosses in exchange for promotions and monetary rewards.
She said women trade unionists should show confidence in all their endeavours, adding that confidence was the hallmark of successes in life and therefore “as unionists you must make it part of your daily activities”.
She noted that sexual harassment had severe consequences on the progress of organisations, and that it was time for women and trade unionists to open a new chapter in their struggle by doing away with negative tendencies that undermined their efforts to move to the top.
According to the online Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, often, sexual harassment incidents fell into the category of the "merely annoying."
However, many situations can, and do, have life-altering effects particularly when they involve severe/chronic abuses, and/or retaliation against a victim who does not submit to the harassment, or who complains about it openly
It includes a range of behaviour from seemingly mild transgressions and annoyances to actual sexual abuse or sexual assault. For many businesses, preventing sexual harassment, and defending employees from sexual harassment charges, have become key goals of legal decision-making.
Miss Tambro was happy that organised labour, with the government and other stakeholders had drawn up a road map for the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) and the three tier pension scheme to commence in January next year.
She expressed the hope that the implementation of these two major schemes would improve the conditions of workers.
She congratulated members of the union for their support and advised them to be part of the organisation’s decision-making process through regular contributions on issues affecting workers.
The regional women’s chairperson, Madam Elizabeth Addole, commended the PSWU for establishing an early childhood centre for working mothers in the Wa municipality.
She said as part of the action plan of the women’s wing of the PSWU, training programmes were to be organised for members at least once a year to upgrade their skills to enable them to venture into any economic activity.
The Upper West Regional Industrial Relations Officer of the PSWU, Mr William Adi, advised the participants to remain steadfast and resolute in whatever they do.
NGO ORGANISES WORKSHOPS FOR CHIEFS (PAGE 22, OCT 17)
IN an effort to bring lasting peace to the three northern regions, the Sustainable Peace Initiative (SPI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), is organising a series of capacity building workshops for the various Regional Houses of Chiefs and the registrars of the various traditional councils.
The support includes legal support to the houses to hear and dispose of chieftaincy disputes.
An official of SPI, Mr J.S. Babinah, made this known at a workshop for members of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs in Wa.
Topics treated at the workshops included prerogative writs, Chieftaincy Act 2008 and expectations from chairmen and members of judicial committees.
According to Mr Babinah, the workshops were designed to enlighten chiefs and staff on the Chieftaincy Act and Act 759, as well as other laws governing the chieftaincy institution.
He said the 1992 Constitution provided an all inclusive and highly participatory system of governance and also guaranteed the protection of institutions and individual rights, adding, “This confirms and reflects the cherished desires of all Ghanaians.”
Mr Babinah said the protection of institutions under the 1992 Constitution extended to the chieftaincy institution too so “let us be informed and hold steadfastly to the tenets of the rules governing our cherished institution”.
He stated that the import of the workshop was therefore to give the chiefs the orientation to appreciate chieftaincy laws and operations of judicial committees.
Mr Babinah urged the participants to use the opportunity to orient themselves of the laws governing the chieftaincy institution in order not to fall foul of the law.
A registrar at the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi, Naa Damale, said the chieftaincy institution was still relevant and that the calibre of chiefs in the country attested to that.
“Is the institution dying? Certainly not,” he added.
Naa Damale urged the participants to use the opportunity to orient themselves of the laws governing the chieftaincy institution.
A legal practitioner, Mr Elias Bruttoh, enjoined the participants to be conversant with the rules of their duties.
The support includes legal support to the houses to hear and dispose of chieftaincy disputes.
An official of SPI, Mr J.S. Babinah, made this known at a workshop for members of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs in Wa.
Topics treated at the workshops included prerogative writs, Chieftaincy Act 2008 and expectations from chairmen and members of judicial committees.
According to Mr Babinah, the workshops were designed to enlighten chiefs and staff on the Chieftaincy Act and Act 759, as well as other laws governing the chieftaincy institution.
He said the 1992 Constitution provided an all inclusive and highly participatory system of governance and also guaranteed the protection of institutions and individual rights, adding, “This confirms and reflects the cherished desires of all Ghanaians.”
Mr Babinah said the protection of institutions under the 1992 Constitution extended to the chieftaincy institution too so “let us be informed and hold steadfastly to the tenets of the rules governing our cherished institution”.
He stated that the import of the workshop was therefore to give the chiefs the orientation to appreciate chieftaincy laws and operations of judicial committees.
Mr Babinah urged the participants to use the opportunity to orient themselves of the laws governing the chieftaincy institution in order not to fall foul of the law.
A registrar at the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi, Naa Damale, said the chieftaincy institution was still relevant and that the calibre of chiefs in the country attested to that.
“Is the institution dying? Certainly not,” he added.
Naa Damale urged the participants to use the opportunity to orient themselves of the laws governing the chieftaincy institution.
A legal practitioner, Mr Elias Bruttoh, enjoined the participants to be conversant with the rules of their duties.
Friday, October 16, 2009
LAWRA CELEBRATES KOBINE FESTIVAL (PAGE 26, OCT 16)
THE chiefs and people of Lawra Traditional Area in the Upper West Region at the weekend celebrated their annual Kobine festival amid pomp and pageantry.
The festival, which was on the theme: “Kobine, a tool for socio-economic empowerment”, attracted people from all walks life.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs and Culture, Mr Alex Asum–Ahensah, underscored the important role chiefs played in the development of the nation.
He, however, expressed regret about the crippling conflicts and disputes in some communities which were retarding the progress of those communities.
“These days, the greatness of chiefs and traditional leaders are not measured by the number of tribal wars fought and won but by developments projects they support and complete,” he added
Mr Asum-Ahensah said the frustrating deeds of chieftaincy contractors would be brought to an end in the future if the Chieftaincy Act of 2008 “Act 759) was strictly adhered to.
Mr Asum-Ahensah stated that Ghana was among the countries in West Africa with many ethnic groups yet the people had co-existed peacefully and contributed significantly towards the development of the various communities in the country.
He said the credit must go to the traditional rulers for their able leadership and for serving as a focal point for communal spirit and development since time immemorial.
The minister stressed the need for people to educate their children to meet the demands of the varied expertise required by industries, especially now that the country had struck oil.
He commended the Lawra Traditional Council for putting strategies in place to take advantage of the Savannah Accelerated Development Programme for the benefit of all.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, commended the chiefs and people of the area for ensuring peace at all times in their various communities.
He gave the assurance that the government would continue to provide the necessary support for Ghanaians towards the improvement of the living standards of the people.
The Member of Parliament for Lawra-Nandom, Mr Ambrose Dery, assured the people that he would continue to lobby for development projects for the area.
The Paramount Chief of the Lawra Traditional Area, Naa Puowele Karbo III, appealed to the government to help develop the town, especially the construction of the Kamba Dam.
The festival, which was on the theme: “Kobine, a tool for socio-economic empowerment”, attracted people from all walks life.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Chieftaincy Affairs and Culture, Mr Alex Asum–Ahensah, underscored the important role chiefs played in the development of the nation.
He, however, expressed regret about the crippling conflicts and disputes in some communities which were retarding the progress of those communities.
“These days, the greatness of chiefs and traditional leaders are not measured by the number of tribal wars fought and won but by developments projects they support and complete,” he added
Mr Asum-Ahensah said the frustrating deeds of chieftaincy contractors would be brought to an end in the future if the Chieftaincy Act of 2008 “Act 759) was strictly adhered to.
Mr Asum-Ahensah stated that Ghana was among the countries in West Africa with many ethnic groups yet the people had co-existed peacefully and contributed significantly towards the development of the various communities in the country.
He said the credit must go to the traditional rulers for their able leadership and for serving as a focal point for communal spirit and development since time immemorial.
The minister stressed the need for people to educate their children to meet the demands of the varied expertise required by industries, especially now that the country had struck oil.
He commended the Lawra Traditional Council for putting strategies in place to take advantage of the Savannah Accelerated Development Programme for the benefit of all.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, commended the chiefs and people of the area for ensuring peace at all times in their various communities.
He gave the assurance that the government would continue to provide the necessary support for Ghanaians towards the improvement of the living standards of the people.
The Member of Parliament for Lawra-Nandom, Mr Ambrose Dery, assured the people that he would continue to lobby for development projects for the area.
The Paramount Chief of the Lawra Traditional Area, Naa Puowele Karbo III, appealed to the government to help develop the town, especially the construction of the Kamba Dam.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
DERY SUPPORTS NEEDY STUDENTS (PAGE 15, OCT 15)
The Member of Parliament for Lawra –Nandom, Mr Ambrose Dery, has through his share of the Common Fund assisted a number of students in the constituency.
The beneficiary students, numbering 42 and who received between GH¢200 and GH¢365, came from some tertiary and second cycle institutions.
In addition to this, four identifiable groups, including the Songata Nyog Women Group, received a total of GH¢2,100.
Interacting with the Daily Graphic in Lawra, Mr Dery, who is also the Deputy Minority leader in Parliament, explained that a total of 450 applications were received from students and groups for financial support but due to limited resources only a few could be assisted.
He said a few individuals were also assisted to plough some land for cultivation of various crops while others were supported with seeds.
“I have also given support to the Ko Senior High School, the Lawra Daily Market and rehabilitated a borehole at Tuma and a public toilet in Nandom East,” he added.
He described as unfortunate the sacking of caterers of the School Feeding Programme in the district, and pointed out that “when government is talking about creating jobs for the youth, some people have been deliberately laid off from their jobs”.
Mr Dery said efforts were underway to help find jobs for some of these people who were affected.
The deputy minority leader assured his constituents that their needs would continue to be prioritised, and that they should support him in all his endeavours.
“The member of Parliament will continue to assist the electorate in spite of the limited resources and funds available and hope that together we will build our constituency,” he said.
The beneficiary students, numbering 42 and who received between GH¢200 and GH¢365, came from some tertiary and second cycle institutions.
In addition to this, four identifiable groups, including the Songata Nyog Women Group, received a total of GH¢2,100.
Interacting with the Daily Graphic in Lawra, Mr Dery, who is also the Deputy Minority leader in Parliament, explained that a total of 450 applications were received from students and groups for financial support but due to limited resources only a few could be assisted.
He said a few individuals were also assisted to plough some land for cultivation of various crops while others were supported with seeds.
“I have also given support to the Ko Senior High School, the Lawra Daily Market and rehabilitated a borehole at Tuma and a public toilet in Nandom East,” he added.
He described as unfortunate the sacking of caterers of the School Feeding Programme in the district, and pointed out that “when government is talking about creating jobs for the youth, some people have been deliberately laid off from their jobs”.
Mr Dery said efforts were underway to help find jobs for some of these people who were affected.
The deputy minority leader assured his constituents that their needs would continue to be prioritised, and that they should support him in all his endeavours.
“The member of Parliament will continue to assist the electorate in spite of the limited resources and funds available and hope that together we will build our constituency,” he said.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
REVIEW EMBARGO ON EMPLOYMENT (SEPT 21, PAGE 45)
THE Rector of the Wa Polytechnic in the Upper West Region, Professor Sampson Agodzo, has appealed to the Government to review the embargo on employment.
That, he said, would make it possible for infant institutions like the Wa Polytechnic to consolidate their existing programmes and expand into new areas.
According to him, in 2008 and this year, an embargo was placed on the hiring of new staff by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning with a view to managing the country’s public sector wages.
“Apart from putting severe strains on the running of most programmes because of teaching staff, it has become practically impossible to start new programmes because of this embargo,” he said.
Professor Agodzo was speaking at the first congregation of the Wa Polytechnic in Wa on Saturday.
In all, 150 students passed out and were awarded Higher National Diplomas (HND). Mr Clement Angbataayele was the only first-class student.
The polytechnic, which was established 10 years ago, currently runs eight programmes. They are Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Information, Communication Technology (ICT)
The rest are Building Technology, Estate Management, Accountancy, Secretaryship and Management Studies.
“We are in the process of mounting two new programmes in Dispensing Technology and Industrial Art and hope that these new programmes will commence in the 2010/2011 academic year,” the Wa Polytechnic rector said.
Professor Agodzo noted that polytechnics in the country were not producing inferior versions of university graduates but rather providing alternative opportunities for people who wanted to develop a career at the highest academic and professional level.
He said that, therefore, meant that the teaching staff must also be trained differently to produce the right human capital for industrial development.
Professor Agodzo was happy that Wa Poly had some of the best structures in the country, but expressed regret that they were difficult to be equipped and furnished.
He said the polytechnic lacked laboratory and workshop equipment for some of the science and technology programmes and, therefore, appealed to the Government for support.
He paid glowing tribute to all those who had assisted in the development of the polytechnic, particularly Mr Abraham Aidoo, who laid the foundation for the polytechnic project.
He advised the graduates to be job creators instead of job seekers.
The Chairman of the Wa Polytechnic Council, Professor Jacob Songsore, appealed to the President to intervene to ensure the payment of compensation to the landowners who gave out their land for the establishment of the polytechnic.
He said despite the various challenges, the polytechnic was striving hard to become a centre of excellence.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, gave the assurance that the Government would continue to support polytechnic education in the country and commended the polytechnic for its academic excellence and the good job done in the Upper West Region.
Mr Clement Angbataayele, the only graduand with first-class honours, being congratulated by the dignitaries on the dais. With them include a member of the Council of State, Naa Seidu Braima (in smock), and the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid ( 2nd left).
That, he said, would make it possible for infant institutions like the Wa Polytechnic to consolidate their existing programmes and expand into new areas.
According to him, in 2008 and this year, an embargo was placed on the hiring of new staff by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning with a view to managing the country’s public sector wages.
“Apart from putting severe strains on the running of most programmes because of teaching staff, it has become practically impossible to start new programmes because of this embargo,” he said.
Professor Agodzo was speaking at the first congregation of the Wa Polytechnic in Wa on Saturday.
In all, 150 students passed out and were awarded Higher National Diplomas (HND). Mr Clement Angbataayele was the only first-class student.
The polytechnic, which was established 10 years ago, currently runs eight programmes. They are Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Information, Communication Technology (ICT)
The rest are Building Technology, Estate Management, Accountancy, Secretaryship and Management Studies.
“We are in the process of mounting two new programmes in Dispensing Technology and Industrial Art and hope that these new programmes will commence in the 2010/2011 academic year,” the Wa Polytechnic rector said.
Professor Agodzo noted that polytechnics in the country were not producing inferior versions of university graduates but rather providing alternative opportunities for people who wanted to develop a career at the highest academic and professional level.
He said that, therefore, meant that the teaching staff must also be trained differently to produce the right human capital for industrial development.
Professor Agodzo was happy that Wa Poly had some of the best structures in the country, but expressed regret that they were difficult to be equipped and furnished.
He said the polytechnic lacked laboratory and workshop equipment for some of the science and technology programmes and, therefore, appealed to the Government for support.
He paid glowing tribute to all those who had assisted in the development of the polytechnic, particularly Mr Abraham Aidoo, who laid the foundation for the polytechnic project.
He advised the graduates to be job creators instead of job seekers.
The Chairman of the Wa Polytechnic Council, Professor Jacob Songsore, appealed to the President to intervene to ensure the payment of compensation to the landowners who gave out their land for the establishment of the polytechnic.
He said despite the various challenges, the polytechnic was striving hard to become a centre of excellence.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, gave the assurance that the Government would continue to support polytechnic education in the country and commended the polytechnic for its academic excellence and the good job done in the Upper West Region.
Mr Clement Angbataayele, the only graduand with first-class honours, being congratulated by the dignitaries on the dais. With them include a member of the Council of State, Naa Seidu Braima (in smock), and the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid ( 2nd left).
Monday, October 12, 2009
STAKEHOLDERS IN EDUCATION ATTEND WORKSHOP (PAGE 21, OCT 9)
THE Wa West District Director of Education, Mr Salifu Iddrisu, has urged the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) and the National Service Secretariat to stop the practice of recruiting and posting volunteer teachers to the district without consulting the stakeholders in education.
The call, he said, was to prevent duplication and over staffing in some schools in the district.
Mr Iddrisu made the call at a two-day workshop on results-oriented education planning organised for stakeholders in the education sector at Wechiau, the Wa West district capital.
An international non-governmental organisation (NGO), SNV, sponsored the the workshop, in collaboration with Plan Ghana.
Presenting an overview of education in the district, Mr Iddrisu stressed the need for the district assembly and other stakeholders to collaborate to bring about a holistic development for the district.
He decried the practice of posting volunteer teachers from the NYEP without recourse to his office.
“Some of these volunteer teachers flout school rules with impunity; they lack basic skills in teaching and refuse to take orders, because I am not their employer”, he added
Mr Iddrisu recounted some of the problems facing education in the district as inadequate trained teachers, high dropout rate and logistics for monitoring and supervision.
For his part, the Programme Manager of SNV for Wa Portfolio, Mr Chris Bakawere, said his outfit would collaborate with development partners in the area to improve the lot of the people.
The call, he said, was to prevent duplication and over staffing in some schools in the district.
Mr Iddrisu made the call at a two-day workshop on results-oriented education planning organised for stakeholders in the education sector at Wechiau, the Wa West district capital.
An international non-governmental organisation (NGO), SNV, sponsored the the workshop, in collaboration with Plan Ghana.
Presenting an overview of education in the district, Mr Iddrisu stressed the need for the district assembly and other stakeholders to collaborate to bring about a holistic development for the district.
He decried the practice of posting volunteer teachers from the NYEP without recourse to his office.
“Some of these volunteer teachers flout school rules with impunity; they lack basic skills in teaching and refuse to take orders, because I am not their employer”, he added
Mr Iddrisu recounted some of the problems facing education in the district as inadequate trained teachers, high dropout rate and logistics for monitoring and supervision.
For his part, the Programme Manager of SNV for Wa Portfolio, Mr Chris Bakawere, said his outfit would collaborate with development partners in the area to improve the lot of the people.
LINK SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAME WITH AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION (OCT 9, PAGE 20)
THE General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) has called on the government to link the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) with agricultural production.
It said by so doing, “agriculture can be used to promote the GSFP, as it would stimulate agricultural growth and industrial development in the country”.
The General Secretary of GAWU, Mr Kingsley Ofei Nkansah, made the call in Wa, in the Upper West Region, at the launch of the 50th anniversary celebration of the union.
He stated that agriculture was the future of the country and must, therefore, be supported with the necessary equipment to enhance its production, adding “we will be deceiving ourselves if we think of export growth without industrialisation”.
Mr Nkansah urged the government to continue to support production of local rice to protect the industry from undue competition from multinational companies which imported cheap rice into the country.
He observed that although attempts were being made to promote rice, it was not enough as it was being done to the detriment of locally produced rice.
“We want our research into building on local rice promotion and production, but not those that support foreign ones”, Mr Nkansah said.
He stated that since May, this year, the union had supported 50 agricultural communities in the promotion of post-harvest management through the support of the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
He gave assurance that the union would continue to promote the interest of its members, since it was the largest union within the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) and had the largest constituency.
Mr Nkansah said although the union was non-partisan, it would not allow the rights of Ghanaians to be trampled upon as it would not hesitate to call governments to order.
“The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) should know that GAWU is older than them and represents a constituency with a number of organised people”, he added.
A research scientist at the Savannah Research Institute in Wa, Dr J.B. Naab, stressed the need for farmers to adopt scientific methods in their farming activities.
He noted with regret that in this era of world technological advancement, farmers continued to use archaic methods in farming.
The Regional Secretary of TUC, Mr Adams Sandu, commended GAWU for its achievements, particularly for producing a number of personalities to the hierarchy of the TUC.
It said by so doing, “agriculture can be used to promote the GSFP, as it would stimulate agricultural growth and industrial development in the country”.
The General Secretary of GAWU, Mr Kingsley Ofei Nkansah, made the call in Wa, in the Upper West Region, at the launch of the 50th anniversary celebration of the union.
He stated that agriculture was the future of the country and must, therefore, be supported with the necessary equipment to enhance its production, adding “we will be deceiving ourselves if we think of export growth without industrialisation”.
Mr Nkansah urged the government to continue to support production of local rice to protect the industry from undue competition from multinational companies which imported cheap rice into the country.
He observed that although attempts were being made to promote rice, it was not enough as it was being done to the detriment of locally produced rice.
“We want our research into building on local rice promotion and production, but not those that support foreign ones”, Mr Nkansah said.
He stated that since May, this year, the union had supported 50 agricultural communities in the promotion of post-harvest management through the support of the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
He gave assurance that the union would continue to promote the interest of its members, since it was the largest union within the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) and had the largest constituency.
Mr Nkansah said although the union was non-partisan, it would not allow the rights of Ghanaians to be trampled upon as it would not hesitate to call governments to order.
“The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) should know that GAWU is older than them and represents a constituency with a number of organised people”, he added.
A research scientist at the Savannah Research Institute in Wa, Dr J.B. Naab, stressed the need for farmers to adopt scientific methods in their farming activities.
He noted with regret that in this era of world technological advancement, farmers continued to use archaic methods in farming.
The Regional Secretary of TUC, Mr Adams Sandu, commended GAWU for its achievements, particularly for producing a number of personalities to the hierarchy of the TUC.
399 CANDIDATES IN SISSALA WEST FAIL IN BECE (PAGE 20, OCT 9)
THREE hundred and ninety-two, out of a total of 676 candidates from the Sissala West District who wrote this year’s Basic Examination Certificate Examination (BECE), failed.
The failures comprised 224 females and 175 males.
The Sissala West District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Robert Wavei, who disclosed this to the Daily
Graphic, expressed concern about the trend, and said even though the results were generally bad, the picture looked very gloomy for the district.
“Coupled with the abysmal performance in the BECE, representing 41.52 per cent failures, as many as 119 schoolgirls also became pregnant between January and August, this year,” the DCE added.
Addressing the second ordinary meeting of the Sissala West District at Gwolu, Mr Wavei took a special view at the BECE results and called on all stakeholders, including parents, to come on board to improve the situation.
He said if the trend continued, then the district had no future.
The DCE, therefore, outlined a number of measures the assembly was initiating to motivate stakeholders of education in the district.
They included institution of a best teacher award, an award for the school with the best BECE results as well as an award for best students in the respective subjects, among others.
On the number of teenage pregnancies, Mr Wavei linked the situation to the number of dropouts from the BECE and challenged health personnel in the area to step up their campaign on family planning.
He said the number of malnourished children, which stood at 52, from January to August, this year, was also not the best for the growth of children in the area.
As part of measures to improve the anomalies in the health sector which have been dubbed “Operation save a life”, Mr Wavei directed all heads of departments to respond to calls by health workers to release their vehicles to transport patients from one health facility to the other.
He said the district assembly would reserve fuel for that purpose and, therefore, any departmental head who flouted the directive would be sanctioned.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, who graced the occasion, appealed to parents to be conscious of the eating habits of their wards as a first step towards reducing malnutrition.
He also urged the assembly to put to good use the district development fund of GH¢361,575.51 Ghana allotted to it, stressing, “You must also institute stringent measures to block the loopholes through which the assembly’s revenue leaked”.
The failures comprised 224 females and 175 males.
The Sissala West District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Robert Wavei, who disclosed this to the Daily
Graphic, expressed concern about the trend, and said even though the results were generally bad, the picture looked very gloomy for the district.
“Coupled with the abysmal performance in the BECE, representing 41.52 per cent failures, as many as 119 schoolgirls also became pregnant between January and August, this year,” the DCE added.
Addressing the second ordinary meeting of the Sissala West District at Gwolu, Mr Wavei took a special view at the BECE results and called on all stakeholders, including parents, to come on board to improve the situation.
He said if the trend continued, then the district had no future.
The DCE, therefore, outlined a number of measures the assembly was initiating to motivate stakeholders of education in the district.
They included institution of a best teacher award, an award for the school with the best BECE results as well as an award for best students in the respective subjects, among others.
On the number of teenage pregnancies, Mr Wavei linked the situation to the number of dropouts from the BECE and challenged health personnel in the area to step up their campaign on family planning.
He said the number of malnourished children, which stood at 52, from January to August, this year, was also not the best for the growth of children in the area.
As part of measures to improve the anomalies in the health sector which have been dubbed “Operation save a life”, Mr Wavei directed all heads of departments to respond to calls by health workers to release their vehicles to transport patients from one health facility to the other.
He said the district assembly would reserve fuel for that purpose and, therefore, any departmental head who flouted the directive would be sanctioned.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, who graced the occasion, appealed to parents to be conscious of the eating habits of their wards as a first step towards reducing malnutrition.
He also urged the assembly to put to good use the district development fund of GH¢361,575.51 Ghana allotted to it, stressing, “You must also institute stringent measures to block the loopholes through which the assembly’s revenue leaked”.
FATE OF 657 GRADUATE TEACHERS IN THE BALANCE (PAGE 20, OCT 9)
FIVE hundred and sixty-seven professional graduate teachers who completed their studies last academic year and have fully submitted their posting forms to the Ghana Education Service (GES) have still not been posted to any educational institution.
The reason is that their names were deleted from the pay roll when their salaries ceased, because they went to school without study leave and can, therefore, not be posted to any school.
The National Vice-President of the of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Miss Portia Anafo, disclosed this at the third Upper West Regional conference of the association in Wa.
The conference was on the theme: ”Professional and socio-economic challenges of the teacher in the face of globalisation. “the way forward”.
Miss Anafo, therefore, called on the GES and the government to, as a matter of urgency, review the policy and tap the full capacity of those teachers for the sake of the country.
She added that there were shortages in the areas of the Sciences and English Language, which must be addressed.
“If we are very serious with education matters in this country, the quota system that regulates study leave for teachers will not include these specialised subjects areas”, Miss Anafo stressed.
She was of the view that the present quota system, as it operated, continued to render efforts for quality education useless, and as such “GNAT is calling on the government and for that matter the GES to find ingenious ways of attracting teachers to study in these areas”.
The GNAT vice-president noted with regret that the responsibility allowance paid to deserving teachers continued to be very low, and expressed hope that a second look would be taken at the issue.
On the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS), Miss Anafo viewed it as the most transparent effort to remove members of the association from perpetual discrimination that had characterised many pay regimes in the country.
“We, therefore, call on the government to keep to its part of the bargain and follow the road map for the SSSS implementation in January 2010 to forestall any future labour unrest in the country,” she said
Miss Anafo admonished members of GNAT not to allow political persuasion to divide them .
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, for his part, described the role of teachers as challenging, which required continuous skills to upgrade themselves to meet the requisite manpower demanded of the fast changing, technologically inclined and knowledge–based economy.
He stated that the government would from next year grant a special rural allowance of an additional 20 per cent of salaries to teachers who accepted postings to deprived areas.
The Dean of the Faculty of Integrated Development Studies of the Wa Campus of the University for Development Studies, Professor Abraham Berinyuu, said the university would from next academic year, come out with programmes in education, and urged teachers to avail themselves of the opportunity.
The reason is that their names were deleted from the pay roll when their salaries ceased, because they went to school without study leave and can, therefore, not be posted to any school.
The National Vice-President of the of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Miss Portia Anafo, disclosed this at the third Upper West Regional conference of the association in Wa.
The conference was on the theme: ”Professional and socio-economic challenges of the teacher in the face of globalisation. “the way forward”.
Miss Anafo, therefore, called on the GES and the government to, as a matter of urgency, review the policy and tap the full capacity of those teachers for the sake of the country.
She added that there were shortages in the areas of the Sciences and English Language, which must be addressed.
“If we are very serious with education matters in this country, the quota system that regulates study leave for teachers will not include these specialised subjects areas”, Miss Anafo stressed.
She was of the view that the present quota system, as it operated, continued to render efforts for quality education useless, and as such “GNAT is calling on the government and for that matter the GES to find ingenious ways of attracting teachers to study in these areas”.
The GNAT vice-president noted with regret that the responsibility allowance paid to deserving teachers continued to be very low, and expressed hope that a second look would be taken at the issue.
On the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS), Miss Anafo viewed it as the most transparent effort to remove members of the association from perpetual discrimination that had characterised many pay regimes in the country.
“We, therefore, call on the government to keep to its part of the bargain and follow the road map for the SSSS implementation in January 2010 to forestall any future labour unrest in the country,” she said
Miss Anafo admonished members of GNAT not to allow political persuasion to divide them .
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, for his part, described the role of teachers as challenging, which required continuous skills to upgrade themselves to meet the requisite manpower demanded of the fast changing, technologically inclined and knowledge–based economy.
He stated that the government would from next year grant a special rural allowance of an additional 20 per cent of salaries to teachers who accepted postings to deprived areas.
The Dean of the Faculty of Integrated Development Studies of the Wa Campus of the University for Development Studies, Professor Abraham Berinyuu, said the university would from next academic year, come out with programmes in education, and urged teachers to avail themselves of the opportunity.
FUEL RETAILING SPRINGS UP IN WA (OCT 9, PAGE 20)
WAYSIDE fuel retailing is the new craze in the Wa municipality. People are seen in every nook and cranny of this town, especially at major junctions retailing fuel in small denominations with the lowest being GH¢1.
Most often, the fuel retailers are seen eagerly seated by big drums which are full of fuel with various container measurements and funnels lying by their sides.
The modus operandi of these dealers is that, they go to the petrol filling stations to buy large quantities of fuel into drums, after which they transport them to the various destinations to sell.
In some cases, the fuel is hoarded and during crisis such as the recent fuel shortage which hit parts of the country, then they go into full business by selling it at exorbitant price.
One gallon of petrol, which is sold at the filling stations for GH¢5, is sold at GH¢6 and motorists have no option than to purchase it to facilitate their movement.
Information gathered by the Daily Graphic revealed that the increase in the activities of the fuel retailers was as a result of the increase in the population of students of the Wa Campus of the University for Development Studies and the Wa Polytechnic.
People are seen in all arterial roads leading to various lecture halls of the two institutions, especially the UDS, engaged in brisk business.
Currently, the number of motorbikes has increased by over 50 per cent. According to the petrol dealers, their targets are mainly the students, who find it difficult to buy one gallon fuel.
Areas where these fuel retailers are mostly found include Konta–Lawmas Junction, Konta–Bamahu, between Upland Hotel Junction and Wa Polytechnic, among others.
Unlike some parts of the country where the business was done by Malians and Nigerians, it was the opposite in Wa, where the indigenous are the main characters.
Musah Salim, a fuel retailer, described the business as good, but declined to comment further.
Although the activities of these dealers have brought some respite to motor cyclists, it is also very dangerous as the fuel could easily lead to disaster, especially when it gets contact with inflammable items.
One does not know how these people transact their businesses. For example, nobody could tell whether they have acquired permits to operate that business.
The Ghana National Fire Service must endeavour to monitor the activities of these petrol dealers, who most often, transport the unsold fuel to various parts of the municipality after the day’s work to avoid calamities. A stitch in time saves nine, says the old adage.
Most often, the fuel retailers are seen eagerly seated by big drums which are full of fuel with various container measurements and funnels lying by their sides.
The modus operandi of these dealers is that, they go to the petrol filling stations to buy large quantities of fuel into drums, after which they transport them to the various destinations to sell.
In some cases, the fuel is hoarded and during crisis such as the recent fuel shortage which hit parts of the country, then they go into full business by selling it at exorbitant price.
One gallon of petrol, which is sold at the filling stations for GH¢5, is sold at GH¢6 and motorists have no option than to purchase it to facilitate their movement.
Information gathered by the Daily Graphic revealed that the increase in the activities of the fuel retailers was as a result of the increase in the population of students of the Wa Campus of the University for Development Studies and the Wa Polytechnic.
People are seen in all arterial roads leading to various lecture halls of the two institutions, especially the UDS, engaged in brisk business.
Currently, the number of motorbikes has increased by over 50 per cent. According to the petrol dealers, their targets are mainly the students, who find it difficult to buy one gallon fuel.
Areas where these fuel retailers are mostly found include Konta–Lawmas Junction, Konta–Bamahu, between Upland Hotel Junction and Wa Polytechnic, among others.
Unlike some parts of the country where the business was done by Malians and Nigerians, it was the opposite in Wa, where the indigenous are the main characters.
Musah Salim, a fuel retailer, described the business as good, but declined to comment further.
Although the activities of these dealers have brought some respite to motor cyclists, it is also very dangerous as the fuel could easily lead to disaster, especially when it gets contact with inflammable items.
One does not know how these people transact their businesses. For example, nobody could tell whether they have acquired permits to operate that business.
The Ghana National Fire Service must endeavour to monitor the activities of these petrol dealers, who most often, transport the unsold fuel to various parts of the municipality after the day’s work to avoid calamities. A stitch in time saves nine, says the old adage.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
FUNSI TO GET ELECTRICITY (MIRROR, SEPT 26, PAGE 19)
From George Folly, Funsi
Work to connect Funsi, capital of the Wa East District in the Upper West Region, to the national electricity grid has begun with the erection of electric poles from Funsi and Wahabu to Wellembelle.
Talking to The Mirror at Funsi, the District Chief Executive, Mr Ameen Salifu, expressed the hope that the project would be completed by the end of the year.
“ The only gift we can give to our people during Christmas is to ensure that electricity reaches their door-steps” he added
He said plans were far advanced to establish the first senior high school in the district, which is expected to begin next year.
According to him, the GETFund has given approval for the school’s structures, which include a dining hall, administration block, assembly hall, four teachers bungalows and a hostel.
“ In addition to this, the district assembly through it’s Common Fund will also put up another hostel to augment the one to be provided by the GETFund”, Mr Salifu said.
The DCE stressed the need for improvement in the educational facilities in the district in order to catch up with other places in the region.
He said being one of the newly created ones, the district would need the efforts of all to tackle the numerous challenges facing the assembly.
Mr Ameen, therefore, deplored the attitude of some assemblymen whose avowed aim was to derail the efforts being made to develop the area and called on the people to be steadfast and not allow themselves to be divided along partisan political lines.
Work to connect Funsi, capital of the Wa East District in the Upper West Region, to the national electricity grid has begun with the erection of electric poles from Funsi and Wahabu to Wellembelle.
Talking to The Mirror at Funsi, the District Chief Executive, Mr Ameen Salifu, expressed the hope that the project would be completed by the end of the year.
“ The only gift we can give to our people during Christmas is to ensure that electricity reaches their door-steps” he added
He said plans were far advanced to establish the first senior high school in the district, which is expected to begin next year.
According to him, the GETFund has given approval for the school’s structures, which include a dining hall, administration block, assembly hall, four teachers bungalows and a hostel.
“ In addition to this, the district assembly through it’s Common Fund will also put up another hostel to augment the one to be provided by the GETFund”, Mr Salifu said.
The DCE stressed the need for improvement in the educational facilities in the district in order to catch up with other places in the region.
He said being one of the newly created ones, the district would need the efforts of all to tackle the numerous challenges facing the assembly.
Mr Ameen, therefore, deplored the attitude of some assemblymen whose avowed aim was to derail the efforts being made to develop the area and called on the people to be steadfast and not allow themselves to be divided along partisan political lines.
1,000 FARMERS UNDERGO CAPACITY BUILDING EXERCISE (SEPT 25, PAGE 21)
MORE than 1,000 farmers from 15 communities in the Lawra District in the Upper West region have benefited from a capacity building exercise aimed at improving the livelihood and security of small holder farmers in the district.
Care International, a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with the Nandom Agricultural Project, organised the programme dubbed: “Conservation Agricultural Project (CAP)”.
Care International and Nandom Agricultural Project have since June, 2007 been mobilising farmers in the Lawra District. Their activities have basically centred on livestock projection and crop production improvements, as well as women development.
Farmers are mobilised based on participatory technology development approaches, which are expected to increase crop yield and production of targeted communities through improved soil conservation and natural resource management practices.
At Walateng, the farmers demonstrated how degraded land had been reclaimed for agricultural purposes through a technique called the "half moon and zia" method. This innovation, adopted from neighbouring Burkina Faso, has been used to reclaim an entirely degraded land for food production.
In an address, the Project Manager, Mr Stan Nasaal, appealed to the farmers to put into practice what they had learnt under the project in order to solve the problem of food shortage.
He stated that there was nothing such as degraded and barren land, if the right techniques were used.
At Ketuo, the farmers field school (FFS) was organised for more than 30 farmers.
The FFS is a school without walls for the farmers, where they are taught nutrient management and practice of land tillage.
The knowledge acquired from the demonstration farms under the school would be applied on the various farms.
Throwing more light on the CAP, the Project Manager Mr Yabepone Cyril, said they had been liaising with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to solve the problem of low staffing in their agricultural extension services.
The District Chief Executive for Lawra, Mr Sampson Abu, thanked the organisers and donors of the project and pledged his administration’s commitment to working with the them to raise the living standards of farmers to an appreciable level.
Care International, a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with the Nandom Agricultural Project, organised the programme dubbed: “Conservation Agricultural Project (CAP)”.
Care International and Nandom Agricultural Project have since June, 2007 been mobilising farmers in the Lawra District. Their activities have basically centred on livestock projection and crop production improvements, as well as women development.
Farmers are mobilised based on participatory technology development approaches, which are expected to increase crop yield and production of targeted communities through improved soil conservation and natural resource management practices.
At Walateng, the farmers demonstrated how degraded land had been reclaimed for agricultural purposes through a technique called the "half moon and zia" method. This innovation, adopted from neighbouring Burkina Faso, has been used to reclaim an entirely degraded land for food production.
In an address, the Project Manager, Mr Stan Nasaal, appealed to the farmers to put into practice what they had learnt under the project in order to solve the problem of food shortage.
He stated that there was nothing such as degraded and barren land, if the right techniques were used.
At Ketuo, the farmers field school (FFS) was organised for more than 30 farmers.
The FFS is a school without walls for the farmers, where they are taught nutrient management and practice of land tillage.
The knowledge acquired from the demonstration farms under the school would be applied on the various farms.
Throwing more light on the CAP, the Project Manager Mr Yabepone Cyril, said they had been liaising with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to solve the problem of low staffing in their agricultural extension services.
The District Chief Executive for Lawra, Mr Sampson Abu, thanked the organisers and donors of the project and pledged his administration’s commitment to working with the them to raise the living standards of farmers to an appreciable level.
REVIEW EMBARGO ON EMPLOYMENT (SEPT 21, PAGE 45)
THE Rector of the Wa Polytechnic in the Upper West Region, Professor Sampson Agodzo, has appealed to the Government to review the embargo on employment.
That, he said, would make it possible for infant institutions like the Wa Polytechnic to consolidate their existing programmes and expand into new areas.
According to him, in 2008 and this year, an embargo was placed on the hiring of new staff by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning with a view to managing the country’s public sector wages.
“Apart from putting severe strains on the running of most programmes because of teaching staff, it has become practically impossible to start new programmes because of this embargo,” he said.
Professor Agodzo was speaking at the first congregation of the Wa Polytechnic in Wa on Saturday.
In all, 150 students passed out and were awarded Higher National Diplomas (HND). Mr Clement Angbataayele was the only first-class student.
The polytechnic, which was established 10 years ago, currently runs eight programmes. They are Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Information, Communication Technology (ICT)
The rest are Building Technology, Estate Management, Accountancy, Secretaryship and Management Studies.
“We are in the process of mounting two new programmes in Dispensing Technology and Industrial Art and hope that these new programmes will commence in the 2010/2011 academic year,” the Wa Polytechnic rector said.
Professor Agodzo noted that polytechnics in the country were not producing inferior versions of university graduates but rather providing alternative opportunities for people who wanted to develop a career at the highest academic and professional level.
He said that, therefore, meant that the teaching staff must also be trained differently to produce the right human capital for industrial development.
Professor Agodzo was happy that Wa Poly had some of the best structures in the country, but expressed regret that they were difficult to be equipped and furnished.
He said the polytechnic lacked laboratory and workshop equipment for some of the science and technology programmes and, therefore, appealed to the Government for support.
He paid glowing tribute to all those who had assisted in the development of the polytechnic, particularly Mr Abraham Aidoo, who laid the foundation for the polytechnic project.
He advised the graduates to be job creators instead of job seekers.
The Chairman of the Wa Polytechnic Council, Professor Jacob Songsore, appealed to the President to intervene to ensure the payment of compensation to the landowners who gave out their land for the establishment of the polytechnic.
He said despite the various challenges, the polytechnic was striving hard to become a centre of excellence.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, gave the assurance that the Government would continue to support polytechnic education in the country and commended the polytechnic for its academic excellence and the good job done in the Upper West Region.
Mr Clement Angbataayele, the only graduand with first-class honours, being congratulated by the dignitaries on the dais. With them include a member of the Council of State, Naa Seidu Braima (in smock), and the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid ( 2nd left).
That, he said, would make it possible for infant institutions like the Wa Polytechnic to consolidate their existing programmes and expand into new areas.
According to him, in 2008 and this year, an embargo was placed on the hiring of new staff by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning with a view to managing the country’s public sector wages.
“Apart from putting severe strains on the running of most programmes because of teaching staff, it has become practically impossible to start new programmes because of this embargo,” he said.
Professor Agodzo was speaking at the first congregation of the Wa Polytechnic in Wa on Saturday.
In all, 150 students passed out and were awarded Higher National Diplomas (HND). Mr Clement Angbataayele was the only first-class student.
The polytechnic, which was established 10 years ago, currently runs eight programmes. They are Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Information, Communication Technology (ICT)
The rest are Building Technology, Estate Management, Accountancy, Secretaryship and Management Studies.
“We are in the process of mounting two new programmes in Dispensing Technology and Industrial Art and hope that these new programmes will commence in the 2010/2011 academic year,” the Wa Polytechnic rector said.
Professor Agodzo noted that polytechnics in the country were not producing inferior versions of university graduates but rather providing alternative opportunities for people who wanted to develop a career at the highest academic and professional level.
He said that, therefore, meant that the teaching staff must also be trained differently to produce the right human capital for industrial development.
Professor Agodzo was happy that Wa Poly had some of the best structures in the country, but expressed regret that they were difficult to be equipped and furnished.
He said the polytechnic lacked laboratory and workshop equipment for some of the science and technology programmes and, therefore, appealed to the Government for support.
He paid glowing tribute to all those who had assisted in the development of the polytechnic, particularly Mr Abraham Aidoo, who laid the foundation for the polytechnic project.
He advised the graduates to be job creators instead of job seekers.
The Chairman of the Wa Polytechnic Council, Professor Jacob Songsore, appealed to the President to intervene to ensure the payment of compensation to the landowners who gave out their land for the establishment of the polytechnic.
He said despite the various challenges, the polytechnic was striving hard to become a centre of excellence.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, gave the assurance that the Government would continue to support polytechnic education in the country and commended the polytechnic for its academic excellence and the good job done in the Upper West Region.
Mr Clement Angbataayele, the only graduand with first-class honours, being congratulated by the dignitaries on the dais. With them include a member of the Council of State, Naa Seidu Braima (in smock), and the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid ( 2nd left).
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